Also written Cdim or C°
C diminished contains C, E♭, and G♭. The 8th-fret shape is a one-finger-per-string stretch that sits high on the neck.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C diminished is built from the formula 1, ♭3, ♭5. The ♭5 interval gives the chord its tense, unstable quality. Compare C minor, which raises the fifth to G.
C diminished works as a passing chord between C minor and E♭ major, or over a B♭ natural minor line. The ♭5 interval creates a tritone that pulls toward the next chord, suiting jazz walk-ups and metal riffs.
The 8th-fret shape puts C in the bass for a root-position sound. The Cdim/E♭ inversion at the 11th fret places E♭ in the bass, which softens the chord's bite.
C diminished is played at the 8th fret as 8 9 10 8: index finger on the E string at fret 8, ring finger on the A string at fret 9, pinky finger on the D string at fret 10 and middle finger on the G string at fret 8.
Tip — The pinky must reach the 10th fret on the 2nd string while the middle finger holds the 8th fret on the 1st string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8 | 1 | C (1) |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 3 | G♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 4 | C (1) |
| 1 (G) | 8 | 2 | E♭ (♭3) |
C diminished is played at the 9th fret as 11 9 10 11: ring finger on the E string at fret 11, index finger on the A string at fret 9, middle finger on the D string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11 | 3 | E♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 1 | G♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 2 | C (1) |
| 1 (G) | 11 | 4 | G♭ (♭5) |
C diminished is played at the 1st fret as 2 3 1 ×: middle finger on the E string at fret 2, ring finger on the A string at fret 3 and index finger on the D string at fret 1. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2 | 2 | G♭ (♭5) |
| 3 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (1) |
| 2 (D) | 1 | 1 | E♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
C diminished is played at the 8th fret as × 9 10 8: middle finger on the A string at fret 9, ring finger on the D string at fret 10 and index finger on the G string at fret 8. The E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 2 | G♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 10 | 3 | C (1) |
| 1 (G) | 8 | 1 | E♭ (♭3) |
C diminished is played at the 13th fret as 14 15 13 ×: middle finger on the E string at fret 14, ring finger on the A string at fret 15 and index finger on the D string at fret 13. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 14 | 2 | G♭ (♭5) |
| 3 (A) | 15 | 3 | C (1) |
| 2 (D) | 13 | 1 | E♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
Write C° or Cdim. The root is C, and the chord is spelled C–E♭–G♭.
The ♭5 interval creates a tritone with the root, which wants to resolve. This tension is what gives diminished chords their forward drive.
Only when you want that darker, more dissonant color. C diminished lowers the fifth, so it clashes with melodies that expect the perfect fifth G.