G Sharp Diminished Chord on the Guitar (G# dim) – Diagrams, Finger Positions, Theory

The G sharp diminished chord (G# dim or G#°) contains the notes G#, B and D. It is produced by taking the 1st, flat 3rd and flat 5th notes of the G sharp Major scale.

G sharp diminished often appears as G# dim or G#°.

The diminished chord played by itself has a dissonant sound. This is largely due to the existence of the tritone interval, which is otherwise known as the devil’s interval. The G sharp diminished chord contains a tritone between the notes G# and D.

Even though the G# diminished chord sounds dissonant on its own, it can sound beautiful when played in the right context. Pairing the G# diminished chord with the A Major chord, for example, creates a sense of tension and release, which works well. A good exercise is to switch between the G# diminished chord and the A Major chord and hear for yourself how this sounds

10 Ways To Play The G Sharp Diminished Chord

If you’ve come to this page just to view some chord diagrams for G sharp diminished, here they are.

G Sharp Diminished Chord 10 Shapes

Some Quick G# Diminished Chord Theory

  • The G# diminished chord contains the notes G#, B and D.
  • The G sharp diminished chord is produced by taking the 1 (root), b3 and b5 of the G sharp Major scale.
  • The G sharp diminished chord (just like all diminished chords) contains the following intervals (starting from the root note): minor 3rd, minor 3rd, tritone (which leads back to the root note).
  • G# diminished resolves naturally to the A chord.
  • G# diminished can be written as G# dim or G#°.
  • The G# locrian scale can be used when soloing over the G# diminished chord.

Further Reading

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