The dominant 7th chord is: 1, 3, 5 and b7. To diminish it we lower each note excepting the root note by

one semitone. Numerically its formula is:- 1, b3, b5, 6. This is the shape of all "diminished 7 chords".

It is a "tetrachord" i.e. it has 4 notes exactyly 3 semitones from its adjacent notes:- 1, b3, b5, & 6 are all 3

semitones apart. Because the chord displays a perfect symmetry within the 12 semitones of the octave, as each note

is chosen as its root you will play the identical sound until you change the position of the chord on the fretboard.

The symbol used in Ukulele tablature to denote a "diminished 7th" is "o" or "dim" eg., Co = Cdim = C diminished.

In the Tonic Solfa the notes are represented by the sounds of "Do" - "Mi"(-1/2) - "So"(-1/2) - "La".

Two hand positions cover all 12 diminished 7th chords. In 1st position, 'open' strings are part of the chord shape.

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So much for the theory, let's look at the dim7's:- Here they all are:

First Position:(frets 0/1)----------------| Second position:(frets 1/2)------------| Third Position:(frets 2/3)-----------------|

Getting a Grip on these chords:

The problem is - how do we get our hands to form the tiny boxes where the dots are shown in the diagrams?

Buy a bigger Uke ? No, no, no. Look at 1st position. Only 2 notes. That is not too hard to play. You figure it out.

To play the Second and Third Positions (which are identical) you can go about it one of these 3 ways:

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There are two rows of notes. For the row nearer the nut of your uke, use your pointer on the 4 string and your

long finger on the 2 string, now place your pinky on the 1 string of the next row and your ring finger on the 3 string

of this row. Practice this, oh, about a million times, and you'll find it is quite easy!

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Or try this (second best method): Bar the fret, the one nearer the nut of the uke, using the flat underside of

your pointer, then put the long finger on the 1 string of the next higher fret, and wrap the ring finger round it

reaching all the way to the 3rd string of that fret. ('Twist' your arm so your palm looks 'out' to your 'left' and back).

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Or try the third best method: Your pointer takes care of the row as above but more 'slanty' so it leaves space for the

ring and long fingers to compress strings 1 and 3 taking care not to impinge on the 2nd string. The general position

of your hand grip will be flatter in this method than in method 2 & the forearm will rotate to the left, palm forward.

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If you need help - ask anybody holding a Uke to assist you in gripping a diminished 7 chord.

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Just one more thing about these wonderful chords. As 'diminished' chords they recycle every 3 frets. But dim7's are

chameleons of the Ukulele. When played in Jazz chord sequences they get their "true" names ('diminished' is an

"alias"). They are actually dominant 7ths with an added flat 9. As such, each fret position is a unique chord with a

specific sound. Jazz players refer to them by their *true names, but for now we will call them "Diminished 7ths."

* WHEN PLAYED AS A jAZZ CHORD IT TAKES ITS NAME FROM THE NOTE PLAYED ON THE 'A' STRING.

The C#o played above becomes the 'Bb7b9' = Dominant B flat 7 chord with added flat 9. Alternately

you see it as a Db7b9, depending which nose is the Root chosen.