Overview
There are many positions (ways, variants etc.) to play the G diminished mandolin chord.
In this article I will help you play the most common mandolin chord positions for Gdim fingered for your convenience. To help you understand how to play them, I have included a music theory quick explanation for you to understand what is a Gdim chord. I also created step-by-step instructions, describing where to place each finger on the mandolin fret-board and what note this will produce for the first two positions of Gdim. Finally, the article includes a chord chart with all possible mandolin chord positions for future reference, feel free to print it and practice.
What is a G diminished (Gdim) chord?
The Gdim is a triad chord, i.e. it consists of three notes as following:
- The root, which for the Gdim chord is of course G
- The third, which for the Gdim chord is Bb. Note that this creates a minor third interval that consists of three half steps (G to Ab, Ab to A, A to Bb)
- The fifth, which for the Gdim chord is Db. Note again that this creates another minor third interval that consists of three half steps (Bb to B, B to C, C to Db).

If you need a blank sheet paper to write it down in order to understand it, you can download one from theMandolinTuner free blank music paper sheet.
Three finger, Gdim fingered for mandolin, 1st position
How fingers are placed
option strings=4
show frets=3 string=4 text=1
show frets=5 string=3 text=3
show frets=4 string=2 text=2
show frets=3 string=1 text=1
How notes are mapped on the fretboard
option strings=4
show frets=3 string=4 text=Bb
show frets=5 string=3 text=G
show frets=4 string=2 text=Db
show frets=3 string=1 text=G
Here are instructions on how to place your left hand on the fretboard:
- First finger on 3rd fret of fourth till first strings (big barre) string.
- Second finger on 4th fret of second string.
- Fourth finger on 5th fret of third string.
Four Finger Gdim, fingered for mandolin, 2nd position
How fingers are placed
option strings=4
show frets=6 string=4 text=3
show frets=5 string=3 text=2
show frets=4 string=2 text=1
show frets=6 string=1 text=4
How notes are mapped on the fretboard
option strings=4
show frets=6 string=4 text=Db
show frets=5 string=3 text=G
show frets=4 string=2 text=Db
show frets=6 string=1 text=Bb
Here are instructions on how to place your left hand on the fretboard:
- First finger on 4th fret of second string.
- Second finger on 5th fret of third string.
- Third finger on 6th fret of fourth string.
- Fourth finger on 6th fret of first string.
Four finger Gdim, fingered for mandolin, 3rd position
This is how you place your left hand on the fretboard:
- First finger on 6th fret of all strings (barre).
- Third finger on 8th fret of third string.
- Fourth finger on 9th fret of second string.
How to Practice chords on the mandolin
There are many good articles here at theMandolinTuner for practicing chords. I suggest you start with:
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Ok, it is now time to practice. Grab your mandolin and try to play these chord variants now, it is easy, just follow the instructions!
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