B Diminished Triads on Guitar: Every Inversion on Every String Set
A B diminished triad is B, D and F (1 ♭3 ♭5). It has three arrangements, root position, first inversion and second inversion, and each can be played on four groups of three strings: all twelve shapes are below.
Keys
Triads — B°
Root position
First inversion
Second inversion
All inversions
The notes of B°
B diminished is two minor thirds stacked, so the outer notes are a diminished fifth (six frets) apart. Root position puts B at the bottom (B, D and F); first inversion puts D at the bottom (D, F and B); second inversion puts F at the bottom (F, B and D).
B° on every string set
On the low E, A and D strings: root position at frets 3–7, first inversion at frets 8–10 and second inversion at frets 0–2.
On the A, D and G strings: root position at frets 0–14, first inversion at frets 3–5 and second inversion at frets 7–9.
On the D, G and B strings: root position at frets 6–9, first inversion at frets 0–10 and second inversion at frets 3–4.
On the G, B and high e strings: root position at frets 1–4, first inversion at frets 6–7 and second inversion at frets 0–10.
Where the inversions sit in the CAGED shapes
The practice pad above shows B°'s triads inside each CAGED shape. Use the R, 2, 3 and V switches to see each arrangement:
- Root position: C shape (fret 10), A shape (fret 1), G shape (fret 3) and E shape (fret 6).
- First inversion: C shape (fret 10), A shape (fret 3) and E shape (fret 6).
- Second inversion: C shape (fret 10), A shape (fret 3) and E shape (fret 7).
Where B° appears
B° belongs to 4 keys: vii° in C major; ii° in A minor; vii° in C harmonic minor and ii° in A harmonic minor.
Of those, C major, A minor and A harmonic minor are keys guitarists play in constantly, because their open strings ring with the scale, so B° turns up often in songs.
Open strings and capo options for B°
Two open strings are part of B°: the D string (the third) and the B string (root). Because the root is among them, you can let it drone under any of the shapes.
The B° symmetry
B° is two minor thirds. Add a third minor third and you get a diminished seventh chord, which divides the octave into four: B°, D°, F° and G° all sit inside the same diminished seventh, so each shares two notes with B°.
Closely related chords
A diminished triad is unstable: B°'s root is a semitone below C, and that's the chord it most wants to move to.
B° triad FAQs
What notes are in a B diminished triad?
B, D and F. The formula is 1 ♭3 ♭5.
What is the first inversion of B°?
D, F and B, with D in the bass. On the G, B and high e strings it sits at fret 7, fret 6 and fret 7.
How many B° triad shapes are there?
Twelve to learn: root position and two inversions on each of the four three-string sets. They repeat twelve frets higher.
Related
Learn more
How to use guitar triads explains inversions and how to use them in rhythm parts and solos, and triads on all string sets goes through each set in turn. The triad library has every chord.