Bbdim Ukulele Chord

Bbdim is the B flat diminished chord, a diminished triad. It has three notes: B♭, D♭ and E. The standard shape is friendlier than most diminished grips: three fingers in the first three frets with the E string left open, and the open string happens to be the chord's flat five.

Three fingers in the first three frets with the open E ringing as the flat five. The root sits on the G string and again on the A string.

How to play Bbdim on ukulele, step by step

Index finger: 1st fret, C string
Middle finger: 1st fret, A string
Ring finger: 3rd fret, G string
Leave the E string open. Strum all four strings.

The open E keeps this shape easy but pins it in place. When you need the same chord higher, the closed shape at the 3rd fret slides to any root.

More ways to play Bbdim

There are 3 common Bbdim shapes: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these further up the neck. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Bbdim ukulele chord diagram, frets 3 to 6, played 3464 — Frets 3 to 6

Bbdim ukulele chord diagram, frets 7 to 10, played 9 10 9 7 — Frets 7 to 10

If it buzzes or sounds dead

The open E goes quiet: The index on the C string is leaning over and brushing the E string. Stand it up on its tip so the open string has room to ring.
The two 1st fret notes rattle: Index and middle finger sit side by side at the 1st fret. Place each tip just behind the fret wire; near the nut a lazy placement buzzes more than anywhere else.
The G string note is dull: The ring finger reaches to the 3rd fret on its own. Arch it over the other strings so it presses straight down rather than at an angle.

What makes it a Bbdim

B♭ · D♭ · E 1 ♭3 ♭5

Bbdim is two minor thirds stacked: B♭ up to D♭, then D♭ up to E. Strict spelling calls the top note F♭, the same pitch as E, and charts use the plain name. Next to B♭ minor the fifth has shrunk by one fret, which is where all the tension comes from.

Spelled A#dim it is the leading tone chord of B: A♯ climbs one fret home. In practice you will meet it as a passing chord wherever a writer wants the harmony to slide up by a fret, most often into B or B minor.

Bbdim vs Bbm

B♭ minor is B♭, D♭ and F. Bbdim keeps the root and third but lowers the fifth to E, strictly F♭. One fret of difference is the entire distinction.

It splits their characters completely: B♭m is dark but stable, a chord that can hold a section, while Bbdim leans forward and wants to move, usually up a fret. On the ukulele the diminished shape is also the easier of the two to grab, thanks to the open E.

Bbdim chord questions

Are Bbdim and A#dim the same chord?

Yes, one chord with two names. A#dim is the clearer spelling when it resolves up to B; B♭dim fits flat keys. The shapes are identical.

Why does the diagram show E instead of Fb?

Strict theory spells the flat fifth of B♭ as F♭, which is the same pitch as E. Charts write E because nobody reads F flat mid song.

What is the difference between Bbdim and Bbdim7?

Bbdim is the three note triad on this page. Bbdim7 adds a diminished seventh, G, for a four note sound. Ukulele songbooks often chart the four note grip whenever they write dim.

Is Bbdim easy to play?

Yes, unusually so for a diminished chord: three fingers in the first three frets with an open string doing part of the work. No barre and no stretch.

What does Bbdim resolve to?

B, one half step up, or B minor. Spell it A#dim and the climb reads exactly as it sounds.