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C# Diminished Chord

C#dim stacks two minor thirds: C sharp to E, then E to G. Its lowered fifth creates a tritone above the root and gives the triad a strong need to move.

  • Notes: C sharp-E-G
  • Symbol: C#dim
  • viidim in D major
  • Lowered fifth
Switch chordC#dim

How to play a C# diminished chord

Notes: C# - E - G · symbol C#dim

  • Root position

    C# - E - G
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    E - G - C#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    G - C# - E
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does C# diminished belong?

In D major, this diminished triad can act as a leading-tone chord that approaches the tonic.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In D majorLeading-tone chord
    vii°

    C sharp is the leading tone of D, so the chord leans hard toward it.

    DIGIVC#dimvii°DI
  • In B minorThe ii° in minor
    ii°

    The minor-key version of ii-V-i, heading to Bm.

    C#dimii°F#VBmi
  • In D minorMinor-key pull
    vii°

    From harmonic minor: the same chord pulls just as hard toward Dm.

    DmiGmivC#dimvii°Dmi

Progressions to try

  • DGC#dimD

    C#dim is a leading-tone triad that resolves by step into the final major tonic.

  • C#dimF#Bm

    In B minor, C#dim serves as ii diminished before the dominant and minor tonic.

  • DmGmC#dimDm

    The leading-tone sound also works before a minor tonic; check the chord's spelling in this key.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with the open x42020 grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent.

On ukulele, the open shape 0404 is the easiest place to start. The 6434 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play C sharp-E-G. Move C sharp up an octave to reach the first inversion, E-G-C sharp; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

C sharp is the root, E the minor third and G the diminished fifth, six semitones above the root.

  • Root position: C sharp-E-G, with C sharp lowest.
  • First inversion: E-G-C sharp, written C#dim/E if E is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: G-C sharp-E, written C#dim/G if G is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does C#dim differ from C#m?

Keep C sharp and E, then raise the diminished fifth G to G sharp. That makes C#m. This page is about the three-note diminished triad, not a diminished seventh chord. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See C#m for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • C#dim

    C# - E - G
    C4

    C# diminished

  • C#m

    C# - E - G#
    C4

    C# minor

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