G-flat Diminished Chord

How to play the G-flat Diminished Chord on the piano

Let’s go through some charts that will familiarize you with the G-flat Diminished Chord and how to play it in the various forms you will encounter in pieces of music. First, we’ll look at the fundamental chord and its inversions; then, we’ll explore some more complex voicings.

The G-flat Diminished Chord in root position

In root position, the notes of the G♭ diminished chord are stacked in thirds with G♭ on the bottom. The appearance on the staff is evenly spaced, as is the feeling of the space in between your fingers while playing.

G-flat Diminished Chord in root position
Note Order	G♭ B𝄫 D𝄫
Left Hand Fingering	5 3 1
Right Hand Fingering	1 3 5
Chord Symbol	G♭dim or G♭°

The G-flat Diminished Chord in first inversion

In first inversion, the third of the chord (B𝄫) becomes the bottom note, and the root (G♭) jumps up to the top.

G-flat Diminished Chord in 1^st inversion
Note Order	B𝄫 D𝄫 G♭
Left Hand Fingering	5 3 1
Right Hand Fingering	1 2 5
Chord Symbol	G♭°⁶ or G♭°/B𝄫

The G-flat Diminished Chord in second inversion

In second inversion, the fifth of the chord (D𝄫) is on the bottom, and the third of the chord (B𝄫) goes to the top.

G-flat Diminished Chord in 2^nd inversion
Note Order	D𝄫 G♭ B𝄫
Left Hand Fingering	5 2 1
Right Hand Fingering	1 3 5
Chord Symbol	G♭°^6/4 or G♭°/D𝄫

G-flat Diminished Chord theory and function

A diminished chord stacks two minor thirds, and the result is tense and unsettled. It is never a place to rest. It behaves like a dominant 7th chord with the root missing, so it wants to move.

The common keys that use this chord are sharp keys, so it is usually written as F♯ diminished, and the spelling follows the key. The F♯ diminished chord is the leading-tone chord (vii°) in G major. In minor keys, it is the leading-tone chord (vii°) in G minor and the supertonic (ii°) in E minor.

The notes F♯, A, and C are the top three notes of D7, so the chord leads to G the way D7 does. A common use is as a passing chord over a rising bass line, I – vii°6 – I6: G – F♯°/A – G/B, so the bass walks G, A, B. Try playing F♯° and then G and listen to how the tension settles.