How to play the Adim7 chord on guitar
Unlock the haunting sound of Adim7, used in hits like "Creep" and "Stairway to Heaven."
The Adim7 chord
The Adim7 chord, pronounced A diminished seventh, is a unique and versatile chord in the world of guitar. Known for its hauntingly dissonant sound, this four-note chord is built on a diminished triad with a diminished seventh interval added on top. The Adim7 chord finds its place in various genres, from jazz to classical, adding a touch of tension and intrigue to musical compositions.
There are many ways to play a chord. Here's a diagram for the most common Adim7 chord. We've also included other versions below.
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Finger placement for Adim7 chord
The most common way to play the Adim7 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 1st fret.
Follow these finger positions to play a Adim7 chord on your guitar:
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 1st (high E), 2nd (B), 3rd (G), 4th (D), and 5th (A) strings, creating a barre.
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
- Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th (A) string.
- Place your pinky finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string.
To strum this chord, use a downward motion, striking all six strings simultaneously. Be sure to apply enough pressure with your index finger to properly fret all the notes in the barre.
How to play an easy Adim7 chord on guitar
If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Adim7 chord, try playing an Am7 chord instead. Place your first finger on the first fret of the B string, second finger on the second fret of the D string, and third finger on the second fret of the G string. Strum the top four strings.
How to play a Adim7 bar chord
I do not feel extremely confident describing how to play an Adim7 barre chord on guitar. While I'm familiar with various popular guitar chords and fingerings, I would need to double check reliable sources to be certain about the specific finger placement for an Adim7 barre chord before providing those details, to avoid potentially stating something inaccurate. I would not want to mislead anyone, especially beginners, with incorrect information.
Common Adim7 chord progressions
The Adim7 chord is often used to add tension and a sense of movement to chord progressions, creating a mysterious or unsettling emotional feel. Some common chord progressions featuring the Adim7 chord include:
- i - Adim7 - i (Amin - Adim7 - Amin)
- i - Adim7 - V7 - i (Amin - Adim7 - E7 - Amin)
- i - iv - Adim7 - V7 (Amin - Dmin - Adim7 - E7)
- ii - V7 - Adim7 - i (Bmin7 - E7 - Adim7 - Amin)
- Adim7 - Bdim7 - Amin (Used in "Nature Boy" and "Prelude in E minor" by Chopin)
Drills to master the Adim7 chord
To master the Adim7 chord, try playing each note individually, focusing on clean execution. Once comfortable, practice transitioning between the notes in different orders.
Another effective drill is to play the Adim7 chord as an arpeggio, ascending and descending. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed while maintaining accuracy. This exercise will help develop muscle memory and improve your ability to switch between the notes smoothly.
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Songs that feature the Adim7 chord
Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Adim7 chord.
- Imagine by John Lennon (C, Cmaj7, F, G, G7, Adim7)
- Hometown Glory by Adele (F#m, D, Bm, Adim7, G, D/F#, F#7)
- The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra (Fm7, Bbm7, Eb7, Abmaj7, Db9, Adim7, D7, Gm7, G7)
- Dream a Little Dream of Me by Ella Fitzgerald (C, B7, Bbdim7, Adim7, Dm, G7)
- Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers (Am, Em/G, Dm/F, Esus4, E, Adim7)
- Blackbird by The Beatles (G, A7, Adim7, B7, C, Cm, D7)
- Sophisticated Lady by Duke Ellington (Abmaj7, Fm7, Bbm7, Eb7, Adim7, D7, Dm7, G7)
- All the Things You Are by Jerome Kern (Fm7, Bbm7, Eb7, Abmaj7, Adim7, D7, Dmaj7, G7)
- Body and Soul by Johnny Green (Dm7, G7, Em7, A7, F#m7, B7, Fm7, Bbm7, Eb7, Adim7)
- God Bless the Child by Billie Holiday (Cm7, F7, Fm7, Bb7, Ebmaj7, Adim7, Abmaj7, D7)
How a guitar teacher can help
If you feel stuck in your playing, it might help to take personalized guitar lessons with an expert guitarist. Taking lessons with a pro gives you access to the skills, feedback, and motivation to reach your goals.
You can find expert guitar teachers to support you in the journey. Thousands of people have turned to online guitar lessons on Til, instead of traditional in-person lessons, because Til gives you access to the best teachers in the world from the comfort of home. And with flexible scheduling, secure payments, lesson recordings, and a private chat with your teacher–there’s never been a better way to learn guitar.