How to Play Bdim on Ukulele

Various chords that can be played on the guitar and other stringed instruments can also be played on the ukulele. Diminished chords are used to darken the sound of a root chord; on the ukulele, the Bdim, or "B diminished," is a unique chord that is commonly played in the key of B, following the B chord itself.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ukulele

1. Hold the body of the ukulele in its center, with your right arm over the front of the instrument. The strings should be facing away from your body. Rest the back of the ukulele against your body and grasp the neck between your left index finger and thumb, near the string spacer.

2. Move your left index finger to the first bar, between the string spacer and first fret. With the tip of your left index finger, hold down the top (or "G") string on that first bar. Keep your left thumb on the back of the ukulele's neck, directly behind the left index finger.

3. With your left middle finger, hold down the "E" string on the first bar, between the string spacer and the first fret. Keep your middle finger between the frets, without touching any unassigned strings.

4. Use your left ring finger to hold down the "C" string on the second bar, between the first and second frets. Place your left pinky finger on the bottom (or "A") string, on the second bar (between the first and second frets).

5. 

   Firmly press down on all of the assigned strings, keeping your fingers on the bars between the frets. Try not to touch any unassigned strings. With your right hand, gently strum all of the strings near the center of the ukulele body to hear the Bdim chord.

Tips & Warnings

• Ukulele strings are assigned G, C, E and A from top to bottom.
• "Frets" are metal strips that are located on the neck of the ukulele.
• Keeping the fingers between the frets will produce a clear, uninterrupted sound.
• The string spacer is used to separate the strings on the neck of the ukulele.