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E Diminished (Edim) Chord Guitar

A three-note, three-string chord built entirely from tension.

A three-note, three-string triad — root, ♭3rd and ♭5th.
It borrows an open G string, making it easier to grab than most diminished shapes.
The ♭5th is what makes it sound unstable — a diminished chord wants to move.
The ii° chord in the key of D minor, used as passing tension rather than a home.

Root3rd5th

Not played

E6th string

FretMuted

Finger—

5th

ABass5th string

Fret1

Finger1 index

Root

D4th string

Fret2

Finger2 middle

3rd

G3rd string

FretOpen

Finger—

Not played

B2nd string

FretMuted

Finger—

Not played

e1st string

FretMuted

Finger—

NotesE – A# – G

Formula1 – ♭3 – ♭5

Voicingx120xx

TonesE×1·G×1·A#×1

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Questions about E Diminished (Edim)

What notes are in a E Diminished (Edim) chord?

A E Diminished (Edim) chord contains the notes E, A#, G. It is built from the diminished formula 1 - ♭3 - ♭5, with E as the root.

Why does Edim sound so unsettled?

Because its fifth is flattened. Every stable chord leans on a perfect fifth for its sense of ground, and a diminished chord removes exactly that. What's left is tension with no resolution built in — which is precisely why it works as a one-beat passing chord and rarely as a destination.

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E Diminished (Edim) Chord Guitar

This chord sounds even better than it looks.

Questions about E Diminished (Edim)

What notes are in a E Diminished (Edim) chord?

Why does Edim sound so unsettled?

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