How to play the D diminished triad on bass
The D diminished triad has 3 notes: D, F and A♭. Two minor 3rds stacked. Unstable; it wants to resolve up a half step.
Interval steps: m3 m3 TT. Formula: 1 ♭3 ♭5.
The root, D, is on the 10th fret of the E string and the 5th fret of the A string. On a five-string bass it is also on the 3rd fret of the low B string.
D Diminished Triad tab: root on the E string
Start on the 10th fret of the E string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 10 to 13 without moving your hand.
G|-------------| D|----------12-| A|-------11----| E|-10-13-------|
Notes: D F A♭ D
Fingers: 1 4 2 3
D Diminished Triad tab: root on the A string
Start on the 5th fret of the A string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 5 to 8 without moving your hand.
G|-------7-| D|-----6---| A|-5-8-----| E|---------|
Notes: D F A♭ D
Fingers: 1 4 2 3
Two octaves from the E string
Start on the 10th fret of the E string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 10 to 19 with 1 position shift.
G|-------------10-13-19-| D|----------12----------| A|-------11-------------| E|-10-13----------------|
Notes: D F A♭ D F A♭ D
Fingers: 1 4 2 3 1 4 4
On a 5-string bass: root on the B string
Start on the 3rd fret of the B string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 3 to 6 without moving your hand.
G|---------| D|---------| A|-------5-| E|-----4---| B|-3-6-----|
Notes: D F A♭ D
Fingers: 1 4 2 3
Notes and intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval | Frets above the root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D | Root | 0 |
| ♭3 | F | Minor 3rd | 3 |
| ♭5 | A♭ | Diminished 5th | 6 |
When to use it
Diminished chords and the vii chord of a major key. Resolve it: play the arpeggio, then the root one fret higher.
How to practise it
Start with the metronome at 60 BPM in 8th notes, ascending and descending, until you can play it without looking. Raise the tempo 5 BPM at a time with the speed builder, then switch on memory mode so the tab hides after the first loop. Earn bronze for playing it through, silver at 4 notes a second, and gold at that speed from memory.
The diminished triad in every key
Printable chart of all 12 keys: PDF · print page · every pattern in one PDF