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Piano chord

F♯dimF sharp diminished

  • F♯1
  • A♭3
  • C♭5
Notes
3
Positions
3
Span
6semitones
Fingers
1-3-5

How to play F♯dim on piano

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

    Root position · F♯ – A – C

  2. F♯dim on piano, 1st inversion: A C F♯A, C, F♯ACF♯125
    F♯dim on piano, 1st inversion: A C F♯A, C, F♯ACF♯531

    1st inversion · A – C – F♯

  3. F♯dim on piano, 2nd inversion: C F♯ AC, F♯, ACAF♯153
    F♯dim on piano, 2nd inversion: C F♯ AC, F♯, ACAF♯512

    2nd inversion · C – F♯ – A

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

F♯dim inversions

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

Chords that go with F♯dim

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

F♯dim with two hands

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

F♯dim with two handsF♯, F♯, A, CACF♯F♯3551

F♯dim on other instruments

About the F♯dim chord

To build F sharp diminished, take these 3 notes from the root up: F♯ (1), A (♭3), C (♭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 F♯ – A – C, counted up from F♯; the distance from the lowest to the highest key is 6 semitones. Any hand that reaches an octave can hold F♯dim, so it works in either hand.

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

Compared with F♯dim7, F♯dim leaves out E♭.

You meet F♯dim in these keys: G major (vii°), E minor (ii°).

Questions

What notes are in the F♯dim chord?

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

How many inversions does F♯dim have?

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

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

Compared with F♯dim7, F♯dim leaves out E♭.

Can I play F♯dim with one hand?

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

More F♯ chords