F diminished chord on piano
Fdim is a diminished chord built on F. It uses the notes F - A♭ - C♭ and sounds tense and unstable; it wants to move somewhere.
- Notes
- F A♭ C♭
- Formula
- 1 - ♭3 - ♭5
- Right hand fingering
- 1 - 3 - 5
- Left hand fingering
- 5 - 3 - 1
- Chord symbol
- Fdim
How to play Fdim step by step
- Find F. F is the white key just left of each group of three black keys.
- Add A♭, 3 half steps above F.
- Add C♭, 6 half steps above F.
- 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.
Fdim 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 Fdim chord?
Knowing where a chord lives helps you guess the next chord in a song. Fdim appears naturally in these keys:
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F diminished chord?
The F diminished chord (Fdim) contains 3 notes: F, A♭, C♭. Its formula is 1 - ♭3 - ♭5.
How do you play Fdim on piano?
Put your right-hand thumb on F and play F, A♭, C♭ together using fingers 1 - 3 - 5. With the left hand, use fingers 5 - 3 - 1.