Gdim / G° Chord Guide

This page dives into the G diminished (Gdim / G°) chord for guitar—its voicings, compatible scales and modes, plus where it adds that classic tension and drama in iconic songs. Gdim (G • Bb • Db) is a symmetrical, unstable triad that screams “passing chord” and loves to resolve down a half-step.

Chord Voicings & Tablature

Common ways to play Gdim

Open-Area Classic (xx2323)

Full Barre (3453xx)

Low Root (xx5636)

Movable Dim (xx7878)

Scales & Modes That Fit Perfectly

Diminished Scales

• G Whole-Half Diminished: G Ab Bb B C# D E F
  

  
  e|---------------------------------6-7-9--|
  B|---------------------------6-7-9--------|
  G|---------------------5-7-8--------------|
  D|---------------5-7-8--------------------|
  A|---------4-6-7--------------------------|
  E|-3-4-6-7--------------------------------|

• G Half-Whole Diminished (dominant): G Ab Bb B C D E F
  

  
  e|---------------------------------6-7-9--|
  B|---------------------------6-7-9--------|
  G|---------------------6-7-9--------------|
  D|---------------5-7-8--------------------|
  A|---------4-6-7--------------------------|
  E|-3-4-6-7--------------------------------|

Harmonic Minor Context

• A Harmonic Minor (Gdim = vii°): A B C D E F G#
  

  
  e|----------------------------------7-9-10-|
  B|---------------------------7-9-10--------|
  G|---------------------5-7-9---------------|
  D|---------------5-7-9---------------------|
  A|---------5-7-9---------------------------|
  E|-5-7-9-----------------------------------|

Other Fitting Scales

• G Locrian: G Ab Bb C Db Eb F
  

  
  e|-------------------------------1-3-4-|
  B|-------------------------1-3-4-------|
  G|-------------------0-1-3-------------|
  D|-------------0-1-3-------------------|
  A|-------0-2-3-------------------------|
  E|-1-3-4-------------------------------|

Gdim in Legendary Songs

The tense, spooky sound of diminished chords fuels drama in jazz, metal, surf, and classic rock:

• "Because" by The Beatles – Stacked vocal harmonies over descending diminished chords.
• "Friends in Low Places" by Garth Brooks – Country classic uses Gdim as a dramatic passing chord.
• "Michelle" by The Beatles – Gdim in the bridge for French-cabaret flavor.
• "This Guy’s in Love with You" by Burt Bacharach – Classic pop/jazz dim passing chords.
• "Surfing with the Alien" by Joe Satriani – Fast diminished runs all over the neck.
• Countless jazz standards – Gdim is the classic vii°7 passing chord.