The C# diminished / Db diminished chord (C#dim) is made of the notes C#, E and G. 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# – E – G
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): x4565x. On piano, the right hand plays 3 notes, in root position or in an inversion.
Notes and intervals
Note
Interval
C#
root
E
minor third
G
diminished fifth
In which keys? The C# diminished chord is the vii° of D major and the ii° of B minor.
The notes of the C# diminished chord (C#dim) are C#, E and G.
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): x4565x.
How is the C# diminished chord built?
The C# diminished / Db diminished chord (C#dim) is made of the notes C#, E and G. It is built from the root C# with a minor third and a diminished fifth.
Are C# and Db the same chord?
Yes: C# and Db are the same note (they are called enharmonic), so C# diminished / Db diminished is played exactly the same way, with the same fingerings.