Piano chord
F♯dim7F sharp diminished seventh
- F♯1
- A♭3
- C♭5
- E♭𝄫7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 9semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-3-5
How to play F♯dim7 on piano
- Find F♯: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on F♯, 2 on A, 3 on C, 5 on E♭.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on F♯, 3 on A, 2 on C, 1 on E♭.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · F♯ – A – C – E♭
1st inversion · A – C – E♭ – F♯
2nd inversion · C – E♭ – F♯ – A
3rd inversion · E♭ – F♯ – A – C
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
F♯dim7 inversions
F♯dim7 can be played in 4 positions. In root position F♯ is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: F♯Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: ARight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: CRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: E♭Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
Chords that go with F♯dim7
The other chords of G minor, the key where F♯dim7 is home (vii°7). Songs in this key move between them.
F♯dim7 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays F♯ an octave lower, the right hand plays F♯–A–C–E♭.
F♯dim7 on other instruments
About the F♯dim7 chord
F sharp diminished seventh has 4 notes: F♯ (1), A (♭3), C (♭5), E♭ (𝄫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 F♯ and count up: F♯ – A – C – E♭. The whole chord spans 9 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers F♯dim7 without stretching.
The inversions of F♯dim7 keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is A (A–C–E♭–F♯). In the 2nd inversion the bass is C (C–E♭–F♯–A). In the 3rd inversion the bass is E♭ (E♭–F♯–A–C).
F♯dim7 is F♯dim with one note added: E♭.
F♯dim7 belongs to G minor (vii°7).
Questions
What notes are in the F♯dim7 chord?
F♯dim7 (F sharp diminished seventh) has 4 notes: F♯ (1), A (♭3), C (♭5), E♭ (𝄫7).
How many inversions does F♯dim7 have?
F♯dim7 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (F♯–A–C–E♭); 1st inversion (A–C–E♭–F♯); 2nd inversion (C–E♭–F♯–A); 3rd inversion (E♭–F♯–A–C).
What is the difference between F♯dim7 and F♯dim?
F♯dim7 is F♯dim with one note added: E♭.
Can I play F♯dim7 with one hand?
Yes. In root position F♯dim7 spans 9 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.