Gdim
G Diminished — tense and unstable by design — built from stacked minor thirds, it begs to resolve.
The keys
G – B♭ – D♭
What's inside Gdim
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| G | Root | 1 |
| B♭ | Minor 3rd | b3 |
| D♭ | Diminished 5th | b5 |
Inversions
| Position | Keys (low → high) |
|---|---|
| Root position | G4 – B♭4 – D♭5 |
| 1st inversion | B♭4 – D♭5 – G5 |
| 2nd inversion | D♭5 – G5 – B♭5 |
A working voicing
Split the chord between two hands the way working players do — a solid shell low down, the colour tones up top:
| Hand | Keys |
|---|---|
| Left (shell) | G2 – G3 |
| Right (colour) | B♭4 – D♭5 |
Where Gdim lives
As the I chord
Gdim → C → D → Gdim
The classic I–IV–V–I motion with this chord as home.
In a ii–V–I
Am7 → D7 → Gdim
The strongest cadence in harmony, resolving onto this chord.
Put Gdim under your fingers
Hear every voicing, see the keys light up, and drill it in the interactive Chord & Voicing Lab.
Open the Chord & Voicing Lab →