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Learn › E Diminished Chord on Piano (Edim)

New Released in April 2026

E Diminished Chord on Piano (Edim)

E diminished (Edim) is spelled E - G - Bb: root, minor 3rd and diminished 5th. Its sound is tense, so it rarely stays long before moving on. Below: the keyboard, the three positions, how it compares with E and Em, and where it goes next.

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Edim E G Bb

What makes Edim different

Same root, same third or fifth moved by a semitone.

ChordNotesThirdFifth
E E G# Bmajor 3rdperfect 5th
Em E G Bminor 3rdperfect 5th
Edim E G Bbminor 3rddiminished 5th
Eaug E G# B#major 3rdaugmented 5th

Where Edim goes

  • Edim is the vii° chord of F major and the ii° chord of D minor.
  • It wants to move up a semitone: Edim → F / Fm, the bottom note rising to the new root.
  • Add D and you get Em7b5 (half-diminished); add Db instead and you get Edim7 (diminished 7th).

Em7b5 · F

How to play Edim on the piano

Any order of E, G, Bb is still Edim.

Edim E G Bb

Root position: E G Bb

Edim G Bb E

1st inversion: G Bb E

Edim Bb E G

2nd inversion: Bb E G

  • Root position: starts on E, a white key; black keys: Bb
  • 1st inversion: starts on G, a white key; black keys: Bb
  • 2nd inversion: starts on Bb, a black key; black keys: Bb
ChordRunner showing a chord block while hands play the piano

Make Edim automatic

ChordRunner mixes Edim with the chords around it and checks every note you play. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.

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All piano chords · Diminished chords explained

Common questions

What notes are in the E diminished chord?

Edim has three notes: E, G, Bb. Root, minor 3rd and diminished 5th (formula 1 b3 b5).

What is the difference between Edim and Em?

One note. Em has B on top; Edim moves it to Bb. The new fifth is what gives Edim its tense sound.

Where does Edim go?

Edim is the vii° chord of F major and the ii° chord of D minor. It wants to move up a semitone: Edim → F / Fm, the bottom note rising to the new root.

Can I practise Edim with a MIDI keyboard or microphone?

Yes. ChordRunner detects a USB MIDI keyboard automatically and also hears an acoustic piano through the microphone. Edim counts in any position, as long as E, G, Bb sound together.

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.

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