Guitar arpeggio
D Diminished Guitar Arpeggio
D Diminished is a three-note arpeggio built from D, F, and Ab. It is also commonly called D Diminished Triad. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Chord tones
- D, F, Ab
- Formula
- 1 b3 b5
- Semitones
- 0 3 6
- Chord symbols
- Ddim
- Also called
- D Diminished Triad
How to read this arpeggio
The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent D root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the D root notes and connect the remaining diminished chord tones across standard tuning.
This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called D Diminished Triad.
Chord construction and defining tones
D diminished combines b3 (F) and b5 (Ab). Two stacked minor thirds produce the minor third and diminished fifth that define the triad's unstable sound.
Harmonic use
Use this arpeggio over Ddim or as a leading-tone shape that pushes toward a chord one semitone above its root.
Practice this arpeggio on guitar
- Play the D Diminished arpeggio from one D root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
- Cycle through b3 (F) and b5 (Ab) in three-note groups and resolve the flat fifth by a semitone in either direction.
- Create a tense D diminished line, then resolve every note by the smallest available move into a nearby major or minor triad.
Fretboard diagram
Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool
Start with D Diminished loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboard