C diminished 7th · Piano
Cdim7 Chord on Piano
The Cdim7 chord (C diminished 7th) is built from the notes C, D#, F# and A. The keyboard diagram below shows exactly which keys to press.
Chord diagrams
Notes in this chord
- C
- D♯
- F♯
- A
Degrees: 1 – ♭3 – ♭5 – ♭♭7
How to play
To play Cdim7 on piano, press C, D#, F# and A 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 seventh chords divide the octave into four equal minor thirds. Every inversion sounds the same, so a single shape can be slid up the neck to lead into several different keys. On Cdim7 this structure sits on the root C, so the degrees 1 – ♭3 – ♭5 – ♭♭7 map onto C, D#, F# and A.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the Cdim7 chord?
- Cdim7 contains the notes C, D#, F# and A. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – ♭3 – ♭5 – ♭♭7.
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