B Diminished 7 Guitar Chord

A fully diminished 7th chord that creates tension and sophisticated voice leading

Difficulty:
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B Diminished 7 Chord Diagram

Standard Position

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Notes: B - D - F - Ab

6th (E) string: Don't play

5th (A) string: 2th fret

4th (D) string: 3th fret

3rd (G) string: 1th fret

2nd (B) string: 3th fret

1st (E) string: Don't play

How to Play B Diminished 7

Place your fingers according to the diagram above. Each number represents which fret to press, and 'x' means don't play that string.

Pro Tip: Press firmly just behind the frets, not on top of them, for the clearest sound.

B Diminished 7 Variations

Bdim

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Simple diminished triad

Bdim7 (2nd inversion)

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Higher voicing on top 4 strings

Bdim7 (7th fret)

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Higher voicing on the 7th fret

Bdim7/D

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First inversion with D in bass

Popular Songs Using B Diminished 7

Famous Examples:

  • Georgia on My Mind
  • All of Me
  • Autumn Leaves

More Hits:

  • Misty
  • Summertime
  • My Funny Valentine

Common Chord Progressions with B Diminished 7

C-Bdim7-Am

Classic chromatic passing chord progression

Am-Bdim7-C

Minor to major with diminished passing

F-Bdim7-C

Classic chromatic approach

Bdim7-Cmaj7

Chromatic passing chord

Am7-Bdim7-Cmaj7

A popular progression used in many songs

Practice Tips for B Diminished 7

1. Symmetrical Structure

Diminished 7th chords repeat every 3 frets - same shape, different names

2. Voice Leading Master

Perfect for smooth voice leading between chords

3. Jazz Standard Essential

Appears in countless jazz standards and classical pieces

4. Chromatic Movement

Great for creating smooth chromatic bass lines

Music Theory Behind B Diminished 7

Notes in B Diminished 7: B - D - F - Ab

Scale: B - D - F - Ab (symmetrical diminished)

Key Signature: Chromatic passing chord

Relative Major: Functions as multiple dominants

Bdim7 is a fully diminished chord with equal intervals (minor 3rds). It's symmetrical, meaning the same chord shape appears every 3 frets. Essential for jazz and classical harmony.

Master B Diminished 7 Today!

B Diminished 7 is an advanced chord that will expand your musical vocabulary significantly!