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