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Piano chord

C♯dimC sharp diminished

  • C♯1
  • E♭3
  • G♭5
Notes
3
Positions
3
Span
6semitones
Fingers
1-3-5

How to play C♯dim on piano

  1. Find C♯: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
  2. Right hand: 1 on C♯, 3 on E, 5 on G.
  3. Or with the left hand: 5 on C♯, 3 on E, 1 on G.
  4. Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
  1. C♯dim on piano, Root position: C♯ E GC♯, E, GEGC♯351
    C♯dim on piano, Root position: C♯ E GC♯, E, GEGC♯315

    Root position · C♯ – E – G

  2. C♯dim on piano, 1st inversion: E G C♯E, G, C♯EGC♯125
    C♯dim on piano, 1st inversion: E G C♯E, G, C♯EGC♯531

    1st inversion · E – G – C♯

  3. C♯dim on piano, 2nd inversion: G C♯ EG, C♯, EGEC♯153
    C♯dim on piano, 2nd inversion: G C♯ EG, C♯, EGEC♯512

    2nd inversion · G – C♯ – E

Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.

C♯dim inversions

Use these 3 positions to move between chords with as little hand movement as possible. Root position starts on C♯; the inversions start on the other notes of the chord.

Chords that go with C♯dim

The other chords of D major, the key where C♯dim is home (vii°). Songs in this key move between them.

C♯dim with two hands

A full sound: the left hand plays C♯ an octave lower, the right hand plays C♯–E–G.

C♯dim with two handsC♯, C♯, E, GEGC♯C♯3551

C♯dim on other instruments

About the C♯dim chord

To build C sharp diminished, take these 3 notes from the root up: C♯ (1), E (♭3), G (♭5). A diminished triad: two minor thirds stacked, with a flat fifth. Tense and unstable, it leads strongly to the next chord.

The keys are C♯ – E – G, counted up from C♯; the distance from the lowest to the highest key is 6 semitones. Any hand that reaches an octave can hold C♯dim, so it works in either hand.

In the inversions of C♯dim the root moves up and another note takes the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is E (E–G–C♯). In the 2nd inversion the bass is G (G–C♯–E).

Compared with C♯dim7, C♯dim leaves out B♭.

You meet C♯dim in these keys: D major (vii°), B minor (ii°).

Questions

What notes are in the C♯dim chord?

C♯dim (C sharp diminished) has 3 notes: C♯ (1), E (♭3), G (♭5).

How many inversions does C♯dim have?

C♯dim can be played in 3 positions: Root position (C♯–E–G); 1st inversion (E–G–C♯); 2nd inversion (G–C♯–E).

What is the difference between C♯dim and C♯dim7?

Compared with C♯dim7, C♯dim leaves out B♭.

Can I play C♯dim with one hand?

Yes. In root position C♯dim spans 6 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.

More C♯ chords