About the C♯dim chord
The diminished triad stacks two minor thirds, giving a tense, unstable sound. It is usually a passing chord that leads somewhere else. The symbol for it is C♯dim. (also written D♭dim)
C♯1
E♭3
G♭5
How to play C♯dim
- Put your index finger on the D string at fret 2.
- Put your middle finger on the B string at fret 2.
- Put your ring finger on the A string at fret 4.
- Strum and let the G and high E strings ring open, and don't play the low E string.
1 index · 2 middle · 3 ring · 4 little
Other C♯ chords
C♯dim chord questions
What notes are in a C♯dim chord?
C♯dim is made of C♯, E and G. In intervals that is 1, ♭3, ♭5 above the root, C♯.
What is the easiest way to play C♯dim?
The first shape above is the most common one: x 4 2 0 2 0 from the low E string to the high E, where x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. Start there, and try the other shapes once it feels comfortable.
Is C♯dim a barre chord?
The main shape above is an open chord with no barre. Some of the other shapes further up the neck do use a barre, which lets you move the same shape to any key.