The C diminished chord (Cdim) is made of the notes C, Eb and Gb. It is built from the root C with a minor third and a diminished fifth.
The diminished chord is unstable and tense: it is mostly used as a passing chord between two other chords.
C diminished
Notes: C – Eb – Gb
Guitar — positions on the neck
Piano — root position and inversions
Fingerings and positions
On guitar, this chord can be played in 3 ways along the neck. It is most often played with a barre. Example fingering (from the low E string to the high E string, x = muted string): x3454x. On piano, the right hand plays 3 notes, in root position or in an inversion.
Notes and intervals
Note
Interval
C
root
Eb
minor third
Gb
diminished fifth
In which keys? The C diminished chord is the vii° of C# major and the ii° of Bb minor.
The notes of the C diminished chord (Cdim) are C, Eb and Gb.
How do you play the C diminished chord on guitar?
On guitar, this chord can be played in 3 ways along the neck. It is most often played with a barre. Example fingering (from the low E string to the high E string, x = muted string): x3454x.
How is the C diminished chord built?
The C diminished chord (Cdim) is made of the notes C, Eb and Gb. It is built from the root C with a minor third and a diminished fifth.