Root 5 - Minor Sixth

Root 5 - Minor Sixth

The four basic chord types are major, minor, diminished and augmented. All the chords so far studied are based upon major or minor chords.

A diminished chord ( ^o ) has the formula 1 b3 b5. The diminished seven chord is generally used instead of the basic diminished chord. The diminished 7 chord is created by adding the double flat seventh note of the major scale to the diminished chord.

Although the correct name is diminished seventh it is commonly referred to as a diminished chord (although technically incorrect). When reading sheet music you can play a diminished seven chord ( ^o7 ) when you see the diminished ( ^o ) chord symbol.

Double flat (bb) means to lower the note pitch by one tone (2 frets on the guitar).

e.g., The G^o7 chord is based upon notes from the G major scale.

G Major Scale

Here are 2 common shapes for a diminished chord. Both of these shapes are the same diminished chords.

The diminished seven chord shape actually has four different names. To understand why this is so examine the formula for a diminished seven chord, 1 b3 b5 bb7. By applying this formula to the respective scales of each note in the chord, it may be seen that G^o7, Bb^o7, Db^o7, and E^o7 all contain the same notes, thus the same shape may be used for all four chords.

These chord shapes can be called either G^o7, Bb^o7, Db^o7, and E^o7.

The following table illustrates this point by showing that the notes in each chord are the same. A full listing of scales can be found in Appendix Two .

Db^o7, can also be called C#^o7. Bb^o7 can also be called A#^o7.

As each shape represents four different dim7 chords, all the diminished seven chords can be covered in just three frets.

E.g.: At the 1st fret the diminished 7 chord is Eb/D#^O7, A^O7, C^O7, F#/Gb^O7

At the 2nd fret the diminished 7 chord is E^O7, Bb/A#^O7, Db/C#^O7, G^O7

At the 3rd fret the diminished 7 chord is F^O7, B^O7, D^O7, Ab/G#^O7

The diminished 7 chord on the 4th fret is the same as the diminished 7 chord at the 1st fret etc.

The easiest way to remember the names of the diminished seven chord is simply to read off the notes contained in the chord. Conversely if you wish to find a particular diminished chord all you need to do is find that note on the fretboard and form the chord shape around it.

e.g., Play either of the shapes given on the second fret, then the 5th fret, 8th fret and the 11th fret. You are playing the same chord each time, but the different inversions of notes create an interesting and suspenseful sound.

Play the following exercises using the second shape given.