G♯ diminished chord on piano
G♯dim is a diminished chord built on G♯. It uses the notes G♯ - B - D and sounds tense and unstable; it wants to move somewhere. It is also written as A♭ diminished.
- Notes
- G♯ B D
- Formula
- 1 - ♭3 - ♭5
- Right hand fingering
- 1 - 3 - 5
- Left hand fingering
- 5 - 3 - 1
- Chord symbol
- G♯dim
How to play G♯dim step by step
- Find G♯. G♯ is the middle black key in each group of three. The same key is also called A♭.
- Add B, 3 half steps above G♯.
- Add D, 6 half steps above G♯.
- Press all 3 keys together with fingers 1 - 3 - 5 of your right hand. Keep your wrist level and let the weight of your arm do the work.
G♯dim inversions
An inversion uses the same notes in a different order. Inversions let your hand move less between chords, which is how pianists make chord changes sound smooth.
Which keys use the G♯dim chord?
Knowing where a chord lives helps you guess the next chord in a song. G♯dim appears naturally in these keys:
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the G♯ diminished chord?
The G♯ diminished chord (G♯dim) contains 3 notes: G♯, B, D. Its formula is 1 - ♭3 - ♭5.
How do you play G♯dim on piano?
Put your right-hand thumb on G♯ and play G♯, B, D together using fingers 1 - 3 - 5. With the left hand, use fingers 5 - 3 - 1.
Is G♯ diminished the same as A♭ diminished?
Yes. G♯ diminished and A♭ diminished use exactly the same piano keys. The name you see depends on the key signature of the piece.