Triads

G♯ diminished chord

Tense and unstable — it usually wants to resolve up by a half step.

G♯dim is the vii° chord in A major. In minor keys: ii° in F♯ minor.

Spell as A♭dim

How to play G♯dim

420404 · Open position

Right hand: G♯ (1), B (3), D (5)

4242 · 2nd fret

On guitar, G♯dim has an open-position shape, 420404, using four fingers alongside the open strings.

On piano, G♯dim has one black key (G♯) and two white keys.

On ukulele the usual G♯dim shape is 4242, using four fingers.

Move a single note and G♯dim becomes a different chord: raise D to D♯ for G♯m, add F♯ for G♯m7♭5 and add F for G♯dim7.