What is B Diminished 7?
The B Diminished 7 guitar chord is formed by the notes B – D – F – Ab and is played using the fingering x2313x. It’s a dim chord commonly used in C-Bdim7-Am.
B Diminished 7 Chord Diagram
Standard Position
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 fingertips close to the fret wire using the diagram x2313x.
- Arch fingers so they don’t touch adjacent strings; keep thumb behind the neck.
- Pick each string to check for buzz or mute; adjust pressure and curl.
- Strum slow down-strums; add down–down–up–up–down–up when clean.
Pro Tip: Practice chord changes with a metronome at 70–90 BPM for one-minute rounds.
B Diminished 7 Variations
Bdim
x2323x
Simple diminished triad
Bdim7 (2nd inversion)
xx2323
Higher voicing on top 4 strings
Bdim7 (7th fret)
x7879x
Higher voicing on the 7th fret
Bdim7/D
x5313x
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!