Cdim7 Chord (C diminished 7th) on Guitar
Cdim7 (C diminished 7th) is made of the notes C – Eb – Gb – Bbb. The easiest guitar fingering is x31212 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
How to play Cdim7
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 3 (C).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 1 (Eb).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 2 (Bbb).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 1 (C).
- Press the 1st string (high e) at fret 2 (Gb).
- Do not play the 6th string (low E).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | x (mute) | - | |
| 5th string (A) | 3 | C | R |
| 4th string (D) | 1 | Eb | b3 |
| 3rd string (G) | 2 | Bbb | bb7 |
| 2nd string (B) | 1 | C | R |
| 1st string (high e) | 2 | Gb | b5 |
What is a C diminished 7th chord?
A diminished 7th chord stacks three minor thirds, so every note is the same distance apart. It adds a doubly-flatted seventh to a diminished triad.
Notes and formula. Cdim7 contains C, Eb, Gb, Bbb. Counted from the root C, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), b5 (diminished 5th), bb7 (diminished 7th).
Sound. Dramatic and unresolved, like a cliffhanger.
Where it is used. Used for dramatic passing chords in jazz, gospel, classical and ragtime.
Tips for playing Cdim7
The shape is perfectly symmetrical: the same fingering repeats every three frets, which makes it easy to slide up and down the neck.
Common mistake: Naming it after the wrong root. Any of its four notes can be the root, so the context decides the name.
Related chords
Cdim7 chord FAQ
What notes are in a Cdim7 chord?
Cdim7 (C diminished 7th) contains the notes C, Eb, Gb, Bbb. The formula is R–b3–b5–bb7 relative to the root C.
How do you play Cdim7 on guitar?
The most common shape for Cdim7 is x31212, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
Is Cdim7 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It uses a barre, so it is more demanding than an open chord. Expect it to take some practice to sound clean.
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