C♯ Diminished
Also Known As
Hear the C♯ Diminished chord played for you.
C♯°
C♯ – E – G
Formula:R-m3-d5
Intervals:P1-m3-d5
Scale Degrees:1-b3-b5
Introduction
The C♯ Diminished chord is a three-note chord made up of C♯, E, and G. It is built from a root, minor third, and diminished fifth.
The C# Diminished piano chord (C#dim) consists of the notes C#, E, G. It is built by stacking two minor thirds (3 semitones each), giving it a tense, unstable, and dissonant character. Formula: R-m3-d5 | Scale degrees: 1-b3-b5.
Notes
C♯ Diminished Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | C# – E – G |
| 1st Inversion | E – G – C# |
| 2nd Inversion | G – C# – E |
Key Signature
The key of C# Diminished has 7 sharps.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of C# Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the C# major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — C♯ Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-d5
Intervals: P1-m3-d5
The C♯ Diminished is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-m3-d5 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-m3-d5 show the distance between each note in the chord.
C♯ Diminished — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the C# Diminished chord?
The C# Diminished chord contains: C# (root), E (minor third), and G (diminished fifth). Both intervals are compressed: the minor third is 3 semitones above the root, and the diminished fifth is 6 semitones — a tritone.
How does C# Diminished differ from C# Minor?
C# Minor has a perfect fifth. C# Diminished lowers the fifth by one semitone to G (diminished fifth). That extra compression creates intense harmonic tension — the tritone between root and diminished fifth is the most dissonant interval in Western music.
What is the symbol for the C# Diminished?
C# Diminished is written as C#dim or C#°. The ° or "dim" symbol means both the third and fifth are minor/diminished. Do not confuse with C#dim7 or C#ø (half-diminished), which include additional notes.
What are the inversions of C# Diminished?
First inversion (C# Diminished/E): E–G–C#. Second inversion (C# Diminished/G): G–C#–E. Diminished triads are used in classical music as the vii° chord — the chord one semitone below the tonic, with strong resolution pull.
How is C# Diminished used in music?
C# Diminished most commonly functions as the vii° chord in a major key, creating strong resolution back to the tonic. It also works as a chromatic passing chord between two nearby chords, and in classical music as a brief point of dissonance. Jazz uses the full four-note dim7 more often than the triad.
What songs use diminished chords?
Michelle (Beatles) uses a diminished chord as a chromatic passing chord. Many classical pieces use vii°–I cadences. Jazz standards use dim7 chords as chromatic passing and approach chords. Diminished harmony also appears in flamenco and film music for dramatic tension.
Practice Tips
- Compare C# Minor and C# Diminished: only the fifth changes (G vs perfect fifth). Play both back to back — the extra compression is striking.
- The tritone between C# and G creates maximum tension — practice just this two-note interval to hear its characteristic sound.
- C# Diminished most naturally resolves up by half step: play C#dim then a chord whose root is C# raised by one semitone.
- Practice all inversions: C#–E–G, E–G–C#, G–C#–E.
- Use C# Diminished as a vii° chord: it is one semitone below C## Major — try C#dim → C## Major to feel this powerful classical resolution.
- In a major key, find where C# Diminished fits naturally as a passing chord between two diatonic chords a step apart.
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.