F♯ diminished chord on piano
F♯dim is a diminished chord built on F♯. It uses the notes F♯ - A - C and sounds tense and unstable; it wants to move somewhere. It is also written as G♭ diminished.
- Notes
- F♯ A C
- Formula
- 1 - ♭3 - ♭5
- Right hand fingering
- 1 - 3 - 5
- Left hand fingering
- 5 - 3 - 1
- Chord symbol
- F♯dim
How to play F♯dim step by step
- Find F♯. F♯ is the first black key in each group of three. The same key is also called G♭.
- 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.
F♯dim 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 F♯dim chord?
Knowing where a chord lives helps you guess the next chord in a song. F♯dim appears naturally in these keys:
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F♯ diminished chord?
The F♯ diminished chord (F♯dim) contains 3 notes: F♯, A, C. Its formula is 1 - ♭3 - ♭5.
How do you play F♯dim 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.
Is F♯ diminished the same as G♭ diminished?
Yes. F♯ diminished and G♭ diminished use exactly the same piano keys. The name you see depends on the key signature of the piece.