C diminished · Piano
Cdim Chord on Piano
The Cdim chord (C diminished) is built from the notes C, D# and F#. The keyboard diagram below shows exactly which keys to press.
Chord diagrams
Notes in this chord
- C
- D♯
- F♯
Degrees: 1 – ♭3 – ♭5
How to play
To play Cdim on piano, press C, D# and F# together. In root position the lowest note is C, and the finger numbers follow the keys left to right in the diagram.
Theory behind the chord
Diminished triads stack two minor thirds, so both the third and the fifth are lowered. The result is unstable and restless, and it usually appears as a passing chord between two stable ones. On Cdim this structure sits on the root C, so the degrees 1 – ♭3 – ♭5 map onto C, D# and F#.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the Cdim chord?
- Cdim contains the notes C, D# and F#. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – ♭3 – ♭5.
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