Cdim Chord on Guitar
Notes C E♭ G♭. Start with the 4-string shape (x 3 4 5 4 x): index on string 5 fret 3, middle on string 4 fret 4, ring on string 2 fret 4, pinky on string 3 fret 5.
Chord · Cdim diminished
Diminished (root on 5th) (fret 3) · x 3 4 5 4 x
movable, no open strings
Cdim, root on string 4 (fret 10) · x x 10 8 7 8
movable, no open strings
Cdim, root on strings 6 and 4 · 8 x 10 8 7 x
movable, no open strings
1 C♭3 E♭♭5 G♭
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): index (1), fret 3
- String 4 (D): middle (2), fret 4
- String 3 (G): pinky (4), fret 5
- String 2 (B): ring (3), fret 4
- String 1 (high e): muted, do not play
- String 6 (low E): muted, do not play
- String 5 (A): muted, do not play
- String 4 (D): pinky (4), fret 10
- String 3 (G): middle (2), fret 8
- String 2 (B): index (1), fret 7
- String 1 (high e): ring (3), fret 8
- String 6 (low E): middle (2), fret 8
- String 5 (A): muted, do not play
- String 4 (D): pinky (4), fret 10
- String 3 (G): ring (3), fret 8
- String 2 (B): index (1), fret 7
- String 1 (high e): muted, do not play
Notes and formula
| Degree | Note | Interval from C |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | root |
| ♭3 | E♭ | minor 3rd |
| ♭5 | G♭ | diminished 5th |
Formula 1 ♭3 ♭5 (diminished).
Also written C°, C diminished.
More on this chord type: Diminished chords
Easier stand-in
A♭7
C, E♭ and G♭ are the 3rd, 5th and ♭7 of A♭7, so Cdim sounds like A♭7 without its root and often does the same job.
Keys that contain Cdim
| Key | Cdim is the |
|---|---|
| B♭ minor | ii° |
| D♭ major | vii° |
Minor keys here use the natural minor scale.
Playing Cdim: what goes wrong
Where Cdim sits
Cdim (C, E♭, G♭) is the vii° chord of D♭ major and the ii° of B♭ minor. In D♭ major the C is the leading tone and pulls up to D♭, so Cdim most often leads to a D♭ chord.
Mute strings 6 and 1
In x 3 4 5 4 x the index tip on string 5 can lean onto string 6 to mute it, and the ring finger on string 2 should not touch string 1. Both outer strings must stay silent.
One grip, up the neck
The same grip at fret 2 is Bdim (x 2 3 4 3 x) and at fret 7 is Edim. The 4-string shape x x 10 8 7 8 is the other family: the same grip as Bdim x x 9 7 6 7, one fret higher.
Related chords
Learn and practise Cdim
- Metronomepractise the change to Cdim at 60 BPM
- How to read chord chartsstrings, frets, fingers, x and o
- Chord finder (chord namer)name any other shape you find
FAQ
What notes are in Cdim?
C, E♭, G♭: the 1, ♭3, ♭5 of the Cdim diminished chord.
What is the difference between Cdim and Cdim7?
Cdim is the triad C, E♭, G♭. Cdim7 adds A, the diminished 7th, which makes a four-note chord.