How to play the F#dim chord on guitar

The F#dim chord, pronounced "F sharp diminished," is a unique and haunting chord that adds a sense of tension and mystery to music. It's commonly used in jazz, classical, and film scores to create an unsettling atmosphere. Notable songs featuring the F#dim chord include "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys and "I Put a Spell on You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins.

The F#dim chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 2nd fret of the guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play a F#dim chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st (high E), 2nd (B), 3rd (G), 4th (D), 5th (A), and 6th (low E) strings, forming a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th (A) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 4th fret of the 4th (D) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd (G) string.

To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to play all six strings in a downward motion, starting from the 6th (low E) string and ending on the 1st (high E) string.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the F#dim chord, try placing your first finger on the 2nd fret of the low E string, your second finger on the 1st fret of the G string, and your third finger on the 2nd fret of the B string. Strum only those three strings.

The F#dim chord is less commonly played as a barre chord on guitar, so I will refrain from providing specific instructions to avoid potential confusion for beginners. It's generally better to start by learning the standard F#dim chord voicing before exploring more advanced barre chord variations.

The F#dim chord is often used as a passing chord to add tension and dissonance to a progression, creating a sense of unease or instability before resolving to a more stable chord. Some common chord progressions featuring the F#dim chord include:

• i - F#dim - i - V (Fm - F#dim - Fm - C) - Used in "I Put a Spell on You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins
• i - iv - F#dim - V (Fm - B♭m - F#dim - C)
• i - F#dim - iv - V (Fm - F#dim - B♭m - C)
• i - ♭VII - F#dim - i (Fm - E♭ - F#dim - Fm)
• i - F#dim - ♭VI - ♭VII (Fm - F#dim - D♭ - E♭)

To master the F#dim guitar chord, try playing the individual notes (F#, A, and C) one at a time, focusing on each note's clarity and tone. Once comfortable, practice transitioning between the notes in different orders and rhythms.

Another effective drill is to play the F#dim chord in various musical contexts, such as arpeggios or chord progressions. Incorporate the chord into simple songs or familiar progressions to develop muscle memory and train your ears to recognize its unique sound. With consistent practice, you'll soon master this chord and add it to your guitar toolkit.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the F#dim chord.

1. All of Me by John Legend (G, G/B, C, C/B, Am7, Amadd9, C/G, Gsus4, Cm7, Bm7, Cm, Eb, Ebm7, F#dim7, Fm7)
2. Imagine by John Lennon (C, Cmaj7, F, Am, Dm, G, G7, C7, F#dim)
3. Misty by Ella Fitzgerald (Ebmaj7, Fm7, Bb7, G#dim7, Abmaj7, Dbmaj7, Cm7, F7, Bbm7, Eb7, Am7b5, D7b9, Gm7, C7, F#dim, B7)
4. Ain't Misbehavin' by Fats Waller (C, E7, A7, Dm, G7, F#dim, C7, F, Fm, Db7)
5. Misty by Johnny Mathis (Ebmaj7, Fm7, Bb7, Ebm7, Ab7, Dbmaj7, Dm7b5, G7b9, Cm7, F7, Bbm7, Eb7, Am7b5, D7, Abm7, Db7, F#dim, B7, E7)
6. It Could Happen to You by Jo Stafford (G, Bm7, E7, Am7, D7, Gmaj7, F#m7b5, B7, Em7, A7, Dm7, G7, Cmaj7, C#dim7, Am7, D7)
7. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You by Tommy Dorsey (A, F7, E7, C#7, F#m, D, Bm7, E7, C#m7, F#7, Bm7, F#dim, Bbdim, A6, F#m7, B7, C#m7, Bm7, E7)
8. My Funny Valentine by Chet Baker (Cm7, Fm7, Bb7, Ebmaj7, Abmaj7, Dm7b5, G7, Db7, F#dim, B7, Em7, A7, Dm7, G7)
9. Body and Soul by Coleman Hawkins (Db, Bbm7, Eb7, Abmaj7, Dm7b5, G7b9, Cm7, F7, Fm7, Bb7, Ebm7, Ab7, F#dim, B7, E7, Bbm7, Eb7, C7, Fm7)
10. Lush Life by John Coltrane (Db, Bbm7, Eb7, Abmaj7, G7b9, Cm7, F7alt, Fm7, Bb7, Ebm7, Ab7, Dm7b5, F#dim, B7, E7, A7)