C diminished chord on piano
Cdim is a diminished chord built on C. It uses the notes C - E♭ - G♭ and sounds tense and unstable; it wants to move somewhere.
- Notes
- C E♭ G♭
- Formula
- 1 - ♭3 - ♭5
- Right hand fingering
- 1 - 3 - 5
- Left hand fingering
- 5 - 3 - 1
- Chord symbol
- Cdim
How to play Cdim step by step
- Find C. C is the white key just left of each group of two black keys.
- Add E♭, 3 half steps above C.
- Add G♭, 6 half steps above C.
- Press all 3 keys together with fingers 1 - 3 - 5 of your right hand. Keep your wrist level and let the weight of your arm do the work.
Cdim inversions
An inversion uses the same notes in a different order. Inversions let your hand move less between chords, which is how pianists make chord changes sound smooth.
Which keys use the Cdim chord?
Knowing where a chord lives helps you guess the next chord in a song. Cdim appears naturally in these keys:
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C diminished chord?
The C diminished chord (Cdim) contains 3 notes: C, E♭, G♭. Its formula is 1 - ♭3 - ♭5.
How do you play Cdim on piano?
Put your right-hand thumb on C and play C, E♭, G♭ together using fingers 1 - 3 - 5. With the left hand, use fingers 5 - 3 - 1.