Chord chart for Bo Guitar Chord (B diminished): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

B diminished guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 49 playable shapes

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B diminished guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

B diminished guitar chord

Bo is the B diminished guitar chord. It uses the notes B, D, and F and the interval formula 1-♭3-♭5.

The B diminished diminished chord is built from minor thirds, including a diminished fifth F, producing a tense, unstable sound. This dissonant, unresolved tension is commonly used for dramatic transitions, suspenseful moments, or eerie atmospheres in classical, jazz, and film music.

Also written as Bdim and Bm♭5.

Root note: B
Quality: diminished
Chord tones: 3
Playable shapes: 49

Chord tones

BDF

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape 780707

780707

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 6th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 5th string.
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string.
  5. 5 Let the fourth and second strings ring open.
  6. 6 Strum from the 6th string down.

Shape xx9a0a

xx9a0a

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 9th fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 10th fret of the 3rd string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 10th fret of the 1st string.
  4. 4 Let the second string ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 4th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

B Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

D Minor Third ♭3

This note supplies the minor color and gives the chord its darker emotional pull.

F Diminished Fifth ♭5

The flattened fifth adds tension and a restless, unstable edge.

Shape details

Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.

B diminished shape 780707

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 6th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Let the fourth and second strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

B diminished shape xx9a0a

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 9th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 10th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 10th fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Let the second string ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  6. 6 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

B diminished shape x20401

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the fourth and second strings ring open
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth string
  6. 6 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

B diminished shape x20431

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string
  5. 5 Let the fourth string ring open
  6. 6 Do not play the sixth string
  7. 7 Strum from the fifth string down to the first string

B diminished shape xx9767

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 2nd string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 4th string
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  6. 6 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

B diminished shape 78970a

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string and 6th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 4th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 10th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Let the second string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

B diminished shape 780a0a

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 6th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 5th string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 10th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 10th fret of the 1st string
  5. 5 Let the fourth and second strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

B diminished shape xx9aca

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 9th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 10th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 10th fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 12th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Do not play the sixth and fifth strings
  6. 6 Strum from the fourth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in Bo?

Bo uses the notes B, D, and F. Its interval formula is 1-♭3-♭5.

What is another name for Bo?

Bo is also written as Bdim and Bm♭5.

How do you play Bo on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 6th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string. Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 5th string. Place the 4th finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string. Let the fourth and second strings ring open. Strum from the 6th string down.

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