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).
Note that this chord is called diminished because the interval created between the root and the fifth (G to Db) is a diminished fifth interval.

See how the Gdim chord is written on sheet paper:

Gdim on sheet paper

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.

[sc:vextab] [sc:vexfretboard]

Three finger, Gdim fingered for mandolin, 1st position

How fingers are placed

This is how you place your fingers on the fretboard

fretboard
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

In standard notation, this Gdim looks like this:

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.
Note that as the root (lowest) note of this Gdim chord is not G but instead it is Bb, this is an inverted chord and therefore it is written as Gdim/Bb.

Four Finger Gdim, fingered for mandolin, 2nd position

How fingers are placed

This is how you place your fingers on the fretboard

fretboard
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

In standard notation, this Gdim looks like this:

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.
Note that as the root (lowest) note of this Gdim chord is not G but instead it is Db, this is an inverted chord and therefore it is written as Gdim/Db.


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!

 

Resources

 

 

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