C-sharp diminished chord (C#dim)
The C♯ diminished chord (C♯dim) is a diminished triad: C♯, E and G, two minor thirds stacked on top of each other (root, minor third and diminished fifth).
It is the vii° in D major and the vii° in D minor; it sits inside A dominant seventh and tends to resolve to D major, a half step up.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play C♯ diminished on guitar
There are 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-4-5-6-5-x, with C♯ in the bass (fingers x-1-2-4-3-x).
- Voicing 2: 9-10-11-9-x-x, barre at fret 9, with C♯ in the bass (fingers 1-2-4-1-x-x).
Notes of the C♯ diminished chord on the fretboard
C♯ diminished has 3 notes: C♯, E and G. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): E (0) · G (3) · C♯ (9) · E (12)
- String 5 (A): C♯ (4) · E (7) · G (10)
- String 4 (D): E (2) · G (5) · C♯ (11)
- String 3 (G): G (0) · C♯ (6) · E (9) · G (12)
- String 2 (B): C♯ (2) · E (5) · G (8)
- String 1 (E): E (0) · G (3) · C♯ (9) · E (12)
Formula and intervals of C♯ diminished
Its formula is 1-♭3-♭5; in semitones from the root, 0-3-6.
- C♯: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- E: Minor third (m3), 3 semitones above C♯
- G: Diminished fifth (d5), 6 semitones above C♯
C♯ diminished on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 0-1-0-4; it sounds G, C♯, E and C♯.
C♯ diminished on piano
- Keys: C♯4, E4 and G4.
Inversions of C♯ diminished
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: C♯, E and G, with C♯ in the bass.
- First inversion (C♯dim/E): E, G and C♯, with E in the bass.
- Second inversion (C♯dim/G): G, C♯ and E, with G in the bass.
Keys that use C♯ diminished
C♯ diminished appears in 3 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| D major (2 sharps) | vii° | Leading tone |
| B minor (2 sharps) | ii° | Supertonic |
| D minor (harmonic minor, 1 flat) | vii° | Leading tone |
Progressions with C♯ diminished
- Passing diminished chord in C major (I–♯i°–ii–V): C – C♯dim – Dm – G
C♯ diminished or D♭ diminished?
C♯ diminished (C♯dim) and D♭ diminished (D♭dim) are the same chord with two names: they sound the same and use the same frets.
The spelling depends on the key: it is written D♭ diminished in flat keys and C♯ diminished in sharp keys.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C♯ diminished chord?
C♯, E and G: root, minor third and diminished fifth. Its formula is 1-♭3-♭5.
Which keys use C♯ diminished?
Mainly as the vii° in D major and the vii° in D minor. In total it appears in 3 major and minor keys.
Is D♭ diminished the same chord as C♯ diminished?
Yes: D♭ diminished and C♯ diminished sound the same and are played the same way. It is written D♭ diminished in flat keys and C♯ diminished in sharp keys.
Is C♯ diminished the same as a diminished seventh chord?
No: C♯ diminished is a triad with three notes (C♯, E and G). A diminished seventh chord adds a fourth note, another minor third on top.