Piano chord
C♯dim7C sharp diminished seventh
- C♯1
- E♭3
- G♭5
- B♭𝄫7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 9semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-3-5
How to play C♯dim7 on piano
- Find C♯: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on C♯, 2 on E, 3 on G, 5 on B♭.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on C♯, 3 on E, 2 on G, 1 on B♭.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · C♯ – E – G – B♭
1st inversion · E – G – B♭ – C♯
2nd inversion · G – B♭ – C♯ – E
3rd inversion · B♭ – C♯ – E – G
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
C♯dim7 inversions
C♯dim7 can be played in 4 positions. In root position C♯ is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: C♯Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: ERight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: GRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: B♭Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
Chords that go with C♯dim7
The other chords of D minor, the key where C♯dim7 is home (vii°7). Songs in this key move between them.
C♯dim7 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays C♯ an octave lower, the right hand plays C♯–E–G–B♭.
C♯dim7 on other instruments
About the C♯dim7 chord
C sharp diminished seventh has 4 notes: C♯ (1), E (♭3), G (♭5), B♭ (𝄫7). A diminished seventh: three minor thirds stacked. Every note is three semitones from the next, so the same keys name four different chords.
Put your thumb on C♯ and count up: C♯ – E – G – B♭. The whole chord spans 9 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers C♯dim7 without stretching.
The inversions of C♯dim7 keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is E (E–G–B♭–C♯). In the 2nd inversion the bass is G (G–B♭–C♯–E). In the 3rd inversion the bass is B♭ (B♭–C♯–E–G).
C♯dim7 is C♯dim with one note added: B♭.
C♯dim7 belongs to D minor (vii°7).
Questions
What notes are in the C♯dim7 chord?
C♯dim7 (C sharp diminished seventh) has 4 notes: C♯ (1), E (♭3), G (♭5), B♭ (𝄫7).
How many inversions does C♯dim7 have?
C♯dim7 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (C♯–E–G–B♭); 1st inversion (E–G–B♭–C♯); 2nd inversion (G–B♭–C♯–E); 3rd inversion (B♭–C♯–E–G).
What is the difference between C♯dim7 and C♯dim?
C♯dim7 is C♯dim with one note added: B♭.
Can I play C♯dim7 with one hand?
Yes. In root position C♯dim7 spans 9 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.