C diminished (Cdim)

CRoot

E♭min 3

G♭Tritone

Tense and unstable. Used as a passing chord or to create dramatic tension. Common in jazz and classical music.

Notes: CE♭G♭
Formula: 1 · ♭3 · ♭5
Type: Diminished triad

How to play it

Cdim

C diminished, 1fr

Bass: C, the root
Root: C
Strings: A D B e · 1st fret

CRoot
E♭m3
G♭TT

Up the neck

6 voicings, same three notes

Why it sounds diminished

C+3 fretsE♭+3 fretsG♭

Stacked from 2 intervals. Compare with Cm →

Where to go next

Other Dim chords

Same quality, every root

Cdim C♯dim Ddim E♭dim Edim Fdim F♯dim Gdim A♭dim Adim B♭dim Bdim

How to play it

Cdim

C diminished, 1fr

Bass: C, the root
Root: C
Strings: A D B e · 1st fret

CRoot
E♭m3
G♭TT

Up the neck

6 voicings, same three notes

Where to go next

Other Dim chords

Same quality, every root

Cdim C♯dim Ddim E♭dim Edim Fdim F♯dim Gdim A♭dim Adim B♭dim Bdim

C diminished (Cdim)

CRoot

E♭min 3

G♭Tritone

Tense and unstable. Used as a passing chord or to create dramatic tension. Common in jazz and classical music.

Notes: CE♭G♭
Formula: 1 · ♭3 · ♭5
Type: Diminished triad

How to play it

Cdim

C diminished, 1fr

Bass: C, the root
Root: C
Strings: A D B e · 1st fret

CRoot
E♭m3
G♭TT

Up the neck

6 voicings, same three notes

Why it sounds diminished

C+3 fretsE♭+3 fretsG♭

Stacked from 2 intervals. Compare with Cm →

Where to go next

Other Dim chords

Same quality, every root

Cdim C♯dim Ddim E♭dim Edim Fdim F♯dim Gdim A♭dim Adim B♭dim Bdim

How to play it

Cdim

C diminished, 1fr

Bass: C, the root
Root: C
Strings: A D B e · 1st fret

CRoot
E♭m3
G♭TT

Up the neck

6 voicings, same three notes

Where to go next

Other Dim chords

Same quality, every root

Cdim C♯dim Ddim E♭dim Edim Fdim F♯dim Gdim A♭dim Adim B♭dim Bdim