Ebdim7 Chord (Eb diminished 7th) on Guitar
Ebdim7 (Eb diminished 7th) is made of the notes Eb – Gb – Bbb – Dbb. The easiest guitar fingering is xx1212 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
Higher position
How to play Ebdim7
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 1 (Eb).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 2 (Bbb).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 1 (Dbb).
- Press the 1st string (high e) at fret 2 (Gb).
- Do not play the 6th string (low E).
- Do not play the 5th string (A).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | x (mute) | - | |
| 5th string (A) | x (mute) | - | |
| 4th string (D) | 1 | Eb | R |
| 3rd string (G) | 2 | Bbb | b5 |
| 2nd string (B) | 1 | Dbb | bb7 |
| 1st string (high e) | 2 | Gb | b3 |
What is a Eb diminished 7th chord?
A diminished 7th chord stacks three minor thirds, so every note is the same distance apart. It adds a doubly-flatted seventh to a diminished triad.
Notes and formula. Ebdim7 contains Eb, Gb, Bbb, Dbb. Counted from the root Eb, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), b5 (diminished 5th), bb7 (diminished 7th). It is also written D#dim7; the two names sound identical and the name used depends on the key of the song.
Sound. Dramatic and unresolved, like a cliffhanger.
Where it is used. Used for dramatic passing chords in jazz, gospel, classical and ragtime.
Tips for playing Ebdim7
The shape is perfectly symmetrical: the same fingering repeats every three frets, which makes it easy to slide up and down the neck.
Common mistake: Naming it after the wrong root. Any of its four notes can be the root, so the context decides the name.
Related chords
Ebdim7 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Ebdim7 chord?
Ebdim7 (Eb diminished 7th) contains the notes Eb, Gb, Bbb, Dbb. The formula is R–b3–b5–bb7 relative to the root Eb.
How do you play Ebdim7 on guitar?
The most common shape for Ebdim7 is xx1212, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is Ebdim7 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is Ebdim7 the same as D#dim7?
Yes. Eb and D# are enharmonic: they are the same pitch with different names, so Ebdim7 and D#dim7 sound identical on guitar. The name used depends on the key of the song.
Get one useful guitar tip a week
New chord guides, practice ideas and app updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.