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E Diminished Triads on Guitar — Shapes & Inversions

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The E Diminished triad is E–G–Bb — R–b3–b5. Below you'll find all 11 close-voiced shapes within the first 12 frets: every inversion on every string set, color-coded and verified by the engine that powers our trainer.

E
R
root
G
b3
minor third
Bb
b5
diminished fifth
Root position (R in bass)1st inversion (3rd in bass)2nd inversion (5th in bass)

E Diminished triads — all positions

Strings 1·2·3 (e · B · G)

3 5 7 9 12 15 b3 R b5 b5 b3 R R b5 b3

Strings 2·3·4 (B · G · D)

3 5 7 9 12 15 R b5 b3 b3 R b5

Strings 3·4·5 (G · D · A)

3 5 7 9 12 15 b3 R b5 b5 b3 R R b5 b3

Strings 4·5·6 (D · A · E)

3 5 7 9 12 15 R b5 b3 b3 R b5 b5 b3 R

E Diminished triads — full position reference

E Diminished triads on Strings 1·2·3 (e · B · G), standard tuning
InversionPositionNotes (low to high)Intervals
2nd inversionstring 3 fret 3, string 2 fret 5, string 1 fret 3Bb–E–Gb5–R–b3
Root positionstring 3 fret 9, string 2 fret 8, string 1 fret 6E–G–BbR–b3–b5
1st inversionstring 3 fret 12, string 2 fret 11, string 1 fret 12G–Bb–Eb3–b5–R
E Diminished triads on Strings 2·3·4 (B · G · D), standard tuning
InversionPositionNotes (low to high)Intervals
1st inversionstring 4 fret 5, string 3 fret 3, string 2 fret 5G–Bb–Eb3–b5–R
2nd inversionstring 4 fret 8, string 3 fret 9, string 2 fret 8Bb–E–Gb5–R–b3
E Diminished triads on Strings 3·4·5 (G · D · A), standard tuning
InversionPositionNotes (low to high)Intervals
2nd inversionstring 5 fret 1, string 4 fret 2, string 3 openBb–E–Gb5–R–b3
Root positionstring 5 fret 7, string 4 fret 5, string 3 fret 3E–G–BbR–b3–b5
1st inversionstring 5 fret 10, string 4 fret 8, string 3 fret 9G–Bb–Eb3–b5–R
E Diminished triads on Strings 4·5·6 (D · A · E), standard tuning
InversionPositionNotes (low to high)Intervals
1st inversionstring 6 fret 3, string 5 fret 1, string 4 fret 2G–Bb–Eb3–b5–R
2nd inversionstring 6 fret 6, string 5 fret 7, string 4 fret 5Bb–E–Gb5–R–b3
Root positionstring 6 fret 12, string 5 fret 10, string 4 fret 8E–G–BbR–b3–b5

Where Each Inversion Sits

Strings 1·2·32nd inversion — fret 3root position — fret 61st inversion — fret 11
Strings 2·3·41st inversion — fret 32nd inversion — fret 8
Strings 3·4·52nd inversion — openroot position — fret 31st inversion — fret 8
Strings 4·5·61st inversion — fret 12nd inversion — fret 5root position — fret 8
Download PDF — E chart (all qualities)Open the full triads chart

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How to Practice E Diminished Triads

Play the shapes on one string set from the nut up: 2nd inversion at fret 3 first, then the next inversion, then the next — say the inversion out loud as you land on it. Then lock one fret region and switch between string sets instead. When the shapes come without thinking, test yourself in the trainer: it will flash E Diminished voicings for you to name, or name them for you to find.

Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the E Diminished triad?

E (root), G (minor third), Bb (diminished fifth).

How many E Diminished triad shapes are there on guitar?

Within the first 12 frets there are 11 close-voiced shapes: root position, 1st and 2nd inversions spread across the four three-string sets. Above the 12th fret the same shapes repeat an octave higher.

What is an easy E Diminished triad shape to start with?

Start on strings 1·2·3 with the lowest shape on the neck (2nd inversion at fret 3) — three notes, no barre, and the same grip moves to every other key.

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