Cdim chord (C diminished) on guitar
Cdim (C diminished) has three notes: C, E flat and G flat. Its formula is 1, b3, b5. In major keys, Cdim is the vii° chord in Db major.
Cdim chord shapes
Fingers: 1 on A, 2 on D, 4 on G, 3 on B.
Fingers: 4 on A, 1 on D, 2 on B, 3 on e.
Fingers: 2 on A, 3 on D, 4 on B, 1 on e.
Fingers: 3 on A, 1 on D, 4 on B, 2 on e.
Fingers: 4 on D, 2 on G, 1 on B, 3 on e.
Fingers: 2 on A, 4 on G, 3 on B, 1 on e.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | Cdim |
|---|---|
| Also written | C°, Co |
| Notes | C Eb Gb |
| Formula | 1 b3 b5 |
| Intervals | root, minor third, tritone |
| Type | Diminished chord |
Cdim across the neck
Guitar · 6-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G, B, e. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 2 Gb (flat 5), fret 8 C (1), fret 11 Eb (flat 3), fret 14 Gb (flat 5), fret 20 C (1), fret 23 Eb (flat 3).
- A string: fret 3 C (1), fret 6 Eb (flat 3), fret 9 Gb (flat 5), fret 15 C (1), fret 18 Eb (flat 3), fret 21 Gb (flat 5).
- D string: fret 1 Eb (flat 3), fret 4 Gb (flat 5), fret 10 C (1), fret 13 Eb (flat 3), fret 16 Gb (flat 5), fret 22 C (1).
- G string: fret 5 C (1), fret 8 Eb (flat 3), fret 11 Gb (flat 5), fret 17 C (1), fret 20 Eb (flat 3), fret 23 Gb (flat 5).
- B string: fret 1 C (1), fret 4 Eb (flat 3), fret 7 Gb (flat 5), fret 13 C (1), fret 16 Eb (flat 3), fret 19 Gb (flat 5).
- e string: fret 2 Gb (flat 5), fret 8 C (1), fret 11 Eb (flat 3), fret 14 Gb (flat 5), fret 20 C (1), fret 23 Eb (flat 3).
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Questions
What notes are in the Cdim chord?
Cdim (C diminished) has three notes: C, E flat and G flat. Its formula is 1, b3, b5. C is the root, Eb is the minor third and Gb is the tritone.
How do you play Cdim on guitar?
The easiest shape is x3454x. Fingers: 1 on A, 2 on D, 4 on G, 3 on B.
What key is Cdim in?
In major keys, Cdim is the vii° chord in Db major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between Cdim and Cm?
Cdim is Cm with its 5th lowered a half step, from G to Gb. That flat 5th is what gives it its tense sound.