Cdim Chord (C diminished) on Guitar
Cdim (C diminished) is made of the notes C – Eb – Gb. The easiest guitar fingering is x3454x (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
How to play Cdim
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 3 (C).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 4 (Gb).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 5 (C).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 4 (Eb).
- Do not play the 6th string (low E).
- Do not play the 1st string (high e).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | x (mute) | - | |
| 5th string (A) | 3 | C | R |
| 4th string (D) | 4 | Gb | b5 |
| 3rd string (G) | 5 | C | R |
| 2nd string (B) | 4 | Eb | b3 |
| 1st string (high e) | x (mute) | - |
What is a C diminished chord?
A diminished chord stacks two minor thirds: root, minor third and diminished (flat) fifth.
Notes and formula. Cdim contains C, Eb, Gb. Counted from the root C, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), b5 (diminished 5th).
Sound. Tense, unstable and spooky. It sounds like it must move somewhere.
Where it is used. Used as a passing chord between two diatonic chords, as in a movie suspense cue, and in jazz and classical music.
Tips for playing Cdim
Because the chord is symmetrical, the same shape moved up three frets gives the same notes in a different order.
Common mistake: Leaving the chord hanging. Diminished chords almost always resolve up a half step.
Keys that contain Cdim
Cdim is a diatonic chord, meaning it occurs naturally without accidentals, in these keys:
Try it in a progression: browse chord progressions for every key.
Related chords
Cdim chord FAQ
What notes are in a Cdim chord?
Cdim (C diminished) contains the notes C, Eb, Gb. The formula is R–b3–b5 relative to the root C.
How do you play Cdim on guitar?
The most common shape for Cdim is x3454x, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Is Cdim an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Which keys contain Cdim?
Cdim is a diatonic chord in C# major (vii°), Bb minor (ii°).
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