The C♯ Half Diminished chord is a four-note chord made up of C♯, E, G, and B. It is built from a root, minor third, diminished fifth, and minor seventh.
Construction
C♯ Half Diminished = Root + Minor 3rd + Diminished 5th + Minor 7th = C♯ · E · G · B
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| C♯ | Root | 1 |
| E | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| G | Diminished 5th | ♭5 |
| B | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
C♯ Half Diminished Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | C♯ – E – G – B |
| 1st Inversion | E – G – B – C♯ |
| 2nd Inversion | G – B – C♯ – E |
| 3rd Inversion | B – C♯ – E – G |
Key Signature
A Half Diminished chord is built from symmetrical or ambiguous intervals, so it doesn’t belong to a single key and has no key signature of its own.
How C♯ Half Diminished functions in a key
The same chord takes on a different harmonic role depending on the key it appears in. Here is where C♯ Half Diminished sits diatonically across the common keys:
- In D major, C♯ Half Diminished is the vii° chord — the dominant.
- In B minor, C♯ Half Diminished is the ii° chord — a predominant.
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes C♯ – E – G – B aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
C♯ Half Diminished — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the C♯ Half Diminished chord on piano?
The C♯ Half Diminished chord contains the notes C♯ – E – G – B. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the C# Half Diminished chord?
C# Half Diminished is built from the C# root. Check the interactive keyboard above for exact notes and fingering.
How is the C# Half Diminished chord used in music?
C# Half Diminished appears in jazz, pop, and classical contexts. Its sound depends on the chord quality (Half Diminished).
What is the fingering for C# Half Diminished?
See the fingering chart above. Right hand typically uses thumb on root. Left hand uses pinky on root.
What are the inversions of C# Half Diminished?
Use the inversion buttons above to see each inversion with notes, fingering, and staff notation.
What is the ii-V-i progression with C# Half Diminished?
C# Half Diminished functions as the ii chord in minor-key jazz harmony, resolving through the V7 to the minor tonic.