Explore chords · Guitar
C♯ diminished chord on guitar (C♯dim)
Also called or written C♯dim or C♯°
C♯ diminished contains the notes C♯, E, and G. The 4th fret shape is movable and mutes both E strings to keep the voicing clean.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, ♭5
- Root positionC♯–E–GC♯dim×-4-5-6-5-×
- First inversionE–G–C♯C♯dim/E×-×-2-0-2-0
- Second inversionG–C♯–EC♯dim/G×-×-×-0-2-0
How do you play a C♯ diminished chord on guitar?
C♯ diminished is played at the 4th fret as × 4 5 6 5 ×: index finger on the A string at fret 4, middle finger on the D string at fret 5, pinky finger on the G string at fret 6 and ring finger on the B string at fret 5. The low E and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
| 4 (D) | 5 | 2 | G (♭5) |
| 3 (G) | 6 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (B) | 5 | 3 | E (♭3) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
IntermediateThe 4th fret shape demands a four-fret stretch and precise muting of both E strings, making it intermediate.
9th fret
C♯ diminished is played at the 9th fret as 9 10 11 9 × ×: index finger on the low E string at fret 9, ring finger on the A string at fret 10, pinky finger on the D string at fret 11 and middle finger on the G string at fret 9. The B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
| 5 (A) | 10 | 3 | G (♭5) |
| 4 (D) | 11 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (G) | 9 | 2 | E (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
C♯dim/E inversion · ×-×-2-0-2-0
C♯ diminished is played in open position as × × 2 0 2 0: index finger on the D string at fret 2 and middle finger on the B string at fret 2. The G and high e strings ring open. The low E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (♭3) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (♭5) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (♭3) |
C♯dim/E inversion · ×-×-2-0-2-3
C♯ diminished is played in open position as × × 2 0 2 3: index finger on the D string at fret 2, middle finger on the B string at fret 2 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 3. The G string rings open. The low E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (♭3) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (♭5) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 3 | G (♭5) |
C♯dim/E inversion · ×-7-5-6-5-×
C♯ diminished is played at the 5th fret as × 7 5 6 5 ×: pinky finger on the A string at fret 7, index finger on the D string at fret 5, ring finger on the G string at fret 6 and middle finger on the B string at fret 5. The low E and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (♭3) |
| 4 (D) | 5 | 1 | G (♭5) |
| 3 (G) | 6 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (B) | 5 | 2 | E (♭3) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ diminished is built from the formula 1, ♭3, ♭5, giving C♯, E, and G. The flattened fifth creates the chord's unstable quality. Compare it to C♯ minor, which raises the fifth to G♯.
What goes wrong with C♯ diminished?
- Letting the low E string ring out, adding an E that is not part of C♯ diminished.
- Flattening the pinky on the G string, causing the 6th fret note to buzz.
- Strumming the high E string, which introduces an outside note.
When to use it
C♯ diminished functions as the vii° chord in D major, leading to D major. It also works as a passing chord between C♯ minor and D major. Use it in rock or jazz for a tense, unresolved color.
Changing to and from C♯ diminished
- Slide the 4th fret shape up one fret to the 5th fret to get D diminished.
- Move to C♯ minor by lifting the pinky from the G string's 6th fret and playing the 6th fret on the B string instead.
Which voicing to use
The 4th fret shape is the most common and keeps the root C♯ in the bass. The 9th fret shape repeats the voicing higher. The C♯dim/E inversions place E in the bass, softening the root emphasis.
Other C♯ chords
Common questions
How is C♯ diminished written?
C♯ diminished is written as C♯° or C♯dim. On a keyboard, use C# for the root. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between C♯ diminished and C♯ minor?
C♯ diminished has a flattened fifth (G), while C♯ minor has a perfect fifth (G♯). The diminished fifth creates a more dissonant, tense sound.
Why are both E strings muted in the 4th fret shape?
The open E strings are not chord tones of C♯ diminished. Muting them keeps the voicing clean and prevents an unwanted major second clash.