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Piano chord

CdimC diminished

  • C1
  • E♭♭3
  • G♭♭5
Notes
3
Positions
3
Span
6semitones
Fingers
1-3-5

How to play Cdim 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. Cdim on piano, Root position: C E♭ G♭C, E♭, G♭CE♭G♭135
    Cdim on piano, Root position: C E♭ G♭C, E♭, G♭CE♭G♭531

    Root position · C – E♭ – G♭

  2. Cdim on piano, 1st inversion: E♭ G♭ CE♭, G♭, CCE♭G♭512
    Cdim on piano, 1st inversion: E♭ G♭ CE♭, G♭, CCE♭G♭153

    1st inversion · E♭ – G♭ – C

  3. Cdim on piano, 2nd inversion: G♭ C E♭G♭, C, E♭CG♭E♭315
    Cdim on piano, 2nd inversion: G♭ C E♭G♭, C, E♭CG♭E♭251

    2nd inversion · G♭ – C – E♭

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

Cdim inversions

Cdim can be played in 3 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.

Chords that go with Cdim

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

Cdim with two hands

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

Cdim with two handsC, C, E♭, G♭CCE♭G♭5135

Cdim on other instruments

About the Cdim chord

C diminished has 3 notes: 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.

On the keyboard, start from C and add the other notes above it: C – E♭ – G♭. From the lowest to the highest key that is 6 semitones. That is less than an octave, so Cdim sits comfortably under one hand.

Each inversion of Cdim puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is E♭ (E♭–G♭–C). In the 2nd inversion the bass is G♭ (G♭–C–E♭).

Cdim is Cdim7 without B𝄫.

Keys that contain Cdim: D flat major (vii°), B flat minor (ii°).

Questions

What notes are in the Cdim chord?

Cdim (C diminished) has 3 notes: C (1), E♭ (♭3), G♭ (♭5).

How many inversions does Cdim have?

Cdim 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 Cdim and Cdim7?

Cdim is Cdim7 without B𝄫.

Can I play Cdim with one hand?

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

More C chords