How to play the Bbdim chord on guitar

The Bbdim chord, pronounced B flat diminished, is a triad consisting of the notes Bb, Db, and Faa. This chord has a distinctively dark and tense sound due to its diminished fifth interval. Bbdim is commonly used in jazz, classical, and blues music to add tension and dissonance. It can also serve as a passing chord to transition smoothly between other chords.

The most common way to play the Bbdim chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 6th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Bbdim chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger on the 6th fret, barring all six strings.
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd (B) string.

To strum this chord, start with a downstroke on the lowest (thickest) string and continue down through the higher (thinner) strings in one smooth motion.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Bbdim chord, try this:

1. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd (B) string.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Strum only these two strings together.

This simplified version requires less hand strength and coordination compared to the barre chord.

Playing the Bbdim chord as a barre chord can be a great way to add variety to your playing and expand your chord vocabulary.

Here's how to play a Bbdim bar chord:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 6th fret, creating a barre.
2. Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
4. Strum all six strings from the 6th string down.

The Bbdim chord is often used as a passing chord to add tension and a sense of movement to a progression, creating a mysterious and unsettling emotional feel. Some common Bbdim chord progressions include:

• i - Bbdim - i (Cm - Bbdim - Cm)
• i - Bbdim - V7 (Cm - Bbdim - G7)
• i - iv - Bbdim - V7 (Cm - Fm - Bbdim - G7)
• Bbdim - V7 - i (Bbdim - G7 - Cm)
• ii - Bbdim - V7 - i (Dm - Bbdim - G7 - Cm)

To master the Bbdim guitar chord, start by practicing the chord in isolation. Strum the chord repeatedly, focusing on clarity and precision. Once comfortable, try transitioning between Bbdim and other chords you frequently use, such as Fm or Gb.

Next, incorporate Bbdim into chord progressions or songs you're learning. This will help you develop muscle memory and understand how the chord functions in a musical context. As you practice, pay attention to the unique sound of the Bbdim chord and experiment with using it creatively in your playing.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Bbdim chord.

1. All of Me by John Legend (Bbdim, Cm7, Fm7, Ab, Eb/G, Fm7, Db/F, Eb)
2. Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen (Bbdim, C, Am, F, G, E7, F, Am, F, C, G, C, F, G, E7, Am, F, G, E7, Am)
3. I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston (Bbdim, A, E/G#, F#m, D, E)
4. Imagine by John Lennon (Bbdim, C, Cmaj7, F)
5. Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven (Bbdim, C#m, G#7, C#, F#, G#7, C#m, F#7, D#m, G#7, C#)
6. My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion (Bbdim, E, Abm, Db/F, Gb, B, Cm, B)
7. Piano Man by Billy Joel (Bbdim, C, F, C, D7, G7, C, Am, D7, G7, C, F, C, D7, F, C, G7, F, C)
8. Someone Like You by Adele (Bbdim, A, E/G#, F#m, D, Bm7, D/F#, A/E)
9. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (Bbdim, Am, G, D/F#, Am/E, D, Am, D, C, D, F, Am, G, D/F#, Am/E, C/G, D, F)
10. The Winner Takes It All by ABBA (Bbdim, Am, D7, G, Em, Bm, C, Am, D7, Am)