Inversions
The same notes with a different one at the bottom, listed from the lowest note up.
| Position | Notes, low to high | Symbol | Right hand | Left hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root position | E G B♭ | Edim | 1-3-5 | 5-3-1 |
| 1st inversion | G B♭ E | Edim/G | 1-2-5 | 5-3-1 |
| 2nd inversion | B♭ E G | Edim/B♭ | 1-3-5 | 5-2-1 |
About this chord
Its formula is 1 ♭3 ♭5: the minor third (m3) and diminished fifth (d5) above the root, E.
Counted in semitones from E, its notes are 0, 3, 6.
A diminished chord stacks two minor thirds, so its outer notes form a tense diminished fifth. It usually leads up by a semitone to the next chord.
In major keys it is vii° in F major.
In natural minor keys it is ii° in D minor.
In harmonic minor it is vii° in F minor.
In root position, play it with fingers 1-3-5 in the right hand, or 5-3-1 in the left hand (1 is the thumb, 5 the little finger).
Find the root first, place the other fingers over the coloured keys, then press them all together so every note sounds at the same time.
Questions and answers
What notes are in the E diminished chord?
The Edim chord has three notes: E, G and B♭. Counted from the root, its formula is 1-♭3-♭5.
What is the fingering for the Edim chord?
In root position, use fingers 1-3-5 of the right hand or 5-3-1 of the left hand. For the inversions: 1st inversion 1-2-5 (right hand) or 5-3-1 (left hand) and 2nd inversion 1-3-5 (right hand) or 5-2-1 (left hand).
Which keys contain the Edim chord?
In major keys it is vii° in F major. In natural minor keys it is ii° in D minor. In harmonic minor it is vii° in F minor.
In other keys
The chord list follows pianochord.io by Enkai Ji, used under the MIT licence. Licence