C#dim7 Chord (C# diminished 7th) on Guitar
C#dim7 (C# diminished 7th) is made of the notes C# – E – G – Bb. The easiest guitar fingering is x45320 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
How to play C#dim7
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 4 (C#).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 5 (G).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 3 (Bb).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 2 (C#).
- Play the 1st string (high e) open (E).
- Do not play the 6th string (low E).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | x (mute) | - | |
| 5th string (A) | 4 | C# | R |
| 4th string (D) | 5 | G | b5 |
| 3rd string (G) | 3 | Bb | bb7 |
| 2nd string (B) | 2 | C# | R |
| 1st string (high e) | 0 (open) | E | b3 |
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. C#dim7 contains C#, E, G, Bb. Counted from the root C#, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), b5 (diminished 5th), bb7 (diminished 7th). It is also written Dbdim7; the two names sound identical and the name used depends on the key of the song.
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 C#dim7
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
C#dim7 chord FAQ
What notes are in a C#dim7 chord?
C#dim7 (C# diminished 7th) contains the notes C#, E, G, Bb. The formula is R–b3–b5–bb7 relative to the root C#.
How do you play C#dim7 on guitar?
The most common shape for C#dim7 is x45320, 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 C#dim7 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Is C#dim7 the same as Dbdim7?
Yes. C# and Db are enharmonic: they are the same pitch with different names, so C#dim7 and Dbdim7 sound identical on guitar. The name used depends on the key of the song.
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