akousia
Start here

F# Diminished Chord

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

  • Notes: F sharp-A-C
  • Symbol: F#dim
  • viidim in G major
  • Lowered fifth
Switch chordF#dim

How to play an F# diminished chord

Notes: F# - A - C · symbol F#dim

  • Root position

    F# - A - C
    C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    A - C - F#
    C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    C - F# - A
    C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does F# diminished belong?

In G 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 G majorLeading-tone chord
    vii°

    F sharp is the leading tone of G, so the chord leans hard toward it.

    GICIVF#dimvii°GI
  • In E minorThe ii° in minor
    ii°

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

    F#dimii°BVEmi
  • In G minorMinor-key pull
    vii°

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

    GmiCmivF#dimvii°Gmi

Progressions to try

  • GCF#dimG

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

  • F#dimBEm

    In E minor, F#dim serves as ii diminished before the dominant and minor tonic.

  • GmCmF#dimGm

    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 2342xx, played at the 2nd fret. Mute any strings marked x.

On ukulele, the open shape 2020 is the easiest place to start. The 5653 grip moves the chord to another register.

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

What are the inversions?

F sharp is the root, A the minor third and C the diminished fifth, six semitones above the root.

  • Root position: F sharp-A-C, with F sharp lowest.
  • First inversion: A-C-F sharp, written F#dim/A if A is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: C-F sharp-A, written F#dim/C if C 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 F#dim differ from F#m?

Keep F sharp and A, then raise the diminished fifth C to C sharp. That makes F#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 F#m for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • F#dim

    F# - A - C
    C5

    F# diminished

  • F#m

    F# - A - C#
    C5

    F# minor

Try another chord