Learn › D Diminished Triad Inversions on Guitar: 12 Shapes
New Released in April 2026
D Diminished Triad Inversions on Guitar: 12 Shapes
Learn the Ddim triad inversions on guitar and you can play D diminished in any area of the neck with three fingers: D, F and Ab, rearranged.
No account, no download. The demo has limited content. Advanced features are in ChordRunner Premium.
- MIDI keyboard
- Digital or acoustic piano
- Guitar
- Computer, phone or tablet
Same chord, different bottom note
The notes never change, only their order. With F or Ab at the bottom, Ddim sounds lighter and lets the melody note on top change.
Tense and unstable: it wants to move to the next chord.
Ddim on each string set
Start with the top three strings: the shapes are small and the top note is clear. Then move the same idea to the lower sets.
G-B-e strings
2nd inversion
Root position
1st inversion
D-G-B strings
1st inversion
2nd inversion
Root position
A-D-G strings
Root position
1st inversion
2nd inversion
E-A-D strings
2nd inversion
Root position
1st inversion
How to move between the shapes
On the G-B-e strings, the shapes go up the neck in this order: 2nd inversion (fret 3) → root position (fret 7) → 1st inversion (fret 10). The top notes along the way are F, Ab, D.
One area of the neck, near fret 8, already holds four Ddim shapes: G-B-e strings 7-6-4; D-G-B strings 6-7-6; A-D-G strings 8-6-7; E-A-D strings 10-8-6.
All Ddim triad frets in one table
| String set | Root position | 1st inversion | 2nd inversion |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-B-e strings | x x x 7 6 4 | x x x 10 9 10 | x x x 1 3 1 |
| D-G-B strings | x x 12 10 9 x | x x 3 1 3 x | x x 6 7 6 x |
| A-D-G strings | x 5 3 1 x x | x 8 6 7 x x | x 11 12 10 x x |
| E-A-D strings | 10 8 6 x x x | 13 11 12 x x x | 4 5 3 x x x |
Frets from the low E string to the high E string; x = string not played.
Make Ddim triads automatic
- Start with the G-B-e strings only: three shapes, one minute each.
- Climb the neck through the three shapes and come back down without stopping.
- Stay near fret 8 and find Ddim on two different string sets.
- Then test yourself: random chord names, find the closest Ddim shape each time.
Small daily sessions work best: shapes stick by repetition.
Train chord changes on your guitar
ChordRunner listens to your guitar through the microphone: a chord name appears, you play it in any shape, and the game hears if the notes are right. A MIDI keyboard works too.
Play the demoCommon questions
How do you play Ddim triads on the top strings?
On the G, B and high E strings: 2nd inversion 1-3-1; Root position 7-6-4; 1st inversion 10-9-10. Play only those three strings.
Why learn triad inversions on guitar?
They let you play Ddim in any area of the neck with three fingers, so chord changes stay close and the top note can follow a melody.
What does a Ddim triad sound like?
Tense and unstable: it wants to move to the next chord.
Can I practise Ddim with a game that listens to my guitar?
Yes. ChordRunner hears your guitar through the microphone and checks the chord in any shape or inversion. A USB MIDI keyboard works too.
Your instrument is the controller.
ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.
Try the demoKeep learning
Guitar Chord Chart: 21 Essential Chords
Guitar chord chart with diagrams: the 7 major, 7 minor and 7 seventh chords guitarists use most, how to read a…
Chord Inversions Explained
Chord inversions explained simply: root position, first and second inversion, why they matter, and how to dril…
Easy Guitar Chords for Beginners
Easy guitar chords for beginners: Em, Am, C, G, D, E, A and Dm with diagrams, the order to learn them and how …
Chord Training That Feels Like a Game
Interactive chord training in your browser. Play major, minor, 7th and extended chords on a MIDI keyboard or a…
Master All 12 Major Chords on Piano
Every major chord on piano with notes and fingering, plus an interactive game that drills all 12 until they ar…
Master All 12 Minor Chords on Piano
All 12 minor chords on piano, how they differ from major, and a game that trains instant recall with your MIDI…