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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

E6th

FretMuted

Finger—

A5th

Fret1

Finger1

D4th

Fret2

Finger2

G3rd

FretOpen

FingerOpen

B2nd

FretMuted

Finger—

e1st

FretMuted

Finger—

Notes: E – A# – G · Formula: 1 – ♭3 – ♭5

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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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