Diminished Chords
The next type of chord you will learn to play is called a diminished chord. Diminished chords are so named because the intervals (distance) in between their chord tones are less than (diminished) in a major chord. The abbreviation for this chord is either "dim" or "O". E.g. Cdim or CO.
Because the intervals within a diminished chord are perfectly symmetrical – each chord tone is three semitones above or below its nearest neighbor – one shape can be used to play any of four chords. Thus the shape given below can be used to play either AO , CO, EbOor F#O.
The A, C, Eb, and F# Diminished Chords
To play these chords, use the first, second, third and fourth fingers of your left hand as shown in the diagram. Strum only four strings.
The Bb, C#, E and G Diminished Chords
These four chords all have the same shape as the previous four, but are played one fret higher.
To play these chords, use the first, second, third and fourth fingers of your left hand as shown in the diagram. Strum only four strings.
The B, D, F, and Ab Diminished Chords
Again these four chords all have the same shape as the previous four, but are played one fret higher, at the third fret.
To play these chords, use the first, second, third and fourth fingers of your left hand as shown in the diagram. Strum only four strings.
Because each shape represents four chords, the complete range of diminished chords is covered in three frets, and thus each shape repeats the same chords every three frets. Try playing the AO shape at the first fret, then at the fourth, seventh and tenth frets. You are playing the same chord each time, but the movement up and down the guitar neck creates an interesting and suspenseful sound.
You can now play the songs on pages 45 to 48 of Supplementary Songbook C.
