C#dim chord (C sharp diminished) on guitar
C#dim (C sharp diminished) has three notes: C sharp, E and G. Its formula is 1, b3, b5. In major keys, C#dim is the vii° chord in D major.
C#dim chord shapes
Fingers: 3 on A, 1 on D, 2 on B.
Fingers: 4 on A, 1 on D, 2 on B, 3 on e.
Fingers: 1 on A, 2 on D, 4 on G, 3 on B.
Fingers: 2 on A, 3 on D, 4 on B, 1 on e.
Fingers: 1 on A, 2 on D, 3 on B.
Fingers: 4 on D, 2 on G, 1 on B, 3 on e.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | C#dim |
|---|---|
| Also written | C#°, C#o |
| Notes | C# E G |
| Formula | 1 b3 b5 |
| Intervals | root, minor third, tritone |
| Type | Diminished chord |
C#dim across the neck
Guitar · 6-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G, B, e. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 0 E (flat 3), fret 3 G (flat 5), fret 9 C# (1), fret 12 E (flat 3), fret 15 G (flat 5), fret 21 C# (1), fret 24 E (flat 3).
- A string: fret 4 C# (1), fret 7 E (flat 3), fret 10 G (flat 5), fret 16 C# (1), fret 19 E (flat 3), fret 22 G (flat 5).
- D string: fret 2 E (flat 3), fret 5 G (flat 5), fret 11 C# (1), fret 14 E (flat 3), fret 17 G (flat 5), fret 23 C# (1).
- G string: fret 0 G (flat 5), fret 6 C# (1), fret 9 E (flat 3), fret 12 G (flat 5), fret 18 C# (1), fret 21 E (flat 3), fret 24 G (flat 5).
- B string: fret 2 C# (1), fret 5 E (flat 3), fret 8 G (flat 5), fret 14 C# (1), fret 17 E (flat 3), fret 20 G (flat 5).
- e string: fret 0 E (flat 3), fret 3 G (flat 5), fret 9 C# (1), fret 12 E (flat 3), fret 15 G (flat 5), fret 21 C# (1), fret 24 E (flat 3).
Swipe the chart sideways to see all of it.
Questions
What notes are in the C#dim chord?
C#dim (C sharp diminished) has three notes: C sharp, E and G. Its formula is 1, b3, b5. C# is the root, E is the minor third and G is the tritone.
How do you play C#dim on guitar?
The easiest shape is x42020. Fingers: 3 on A, 1 on D, 2 on B.
What key is C#dim in?
In major keys, C#dim is the vii° chord in D major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between C#dim and C#m?
C#dim is C#m with its 5th lowered a half step, from G# to G. That flat 5th is what gives it its tense sound.