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C#dim7 Guitar Chord

C#dim7 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
C#dim7Guitar fingering diagram for C#dim7Fret 3456×2314×STRING6ª×5ªC#4ªG3ªA#2ªE1ª×
View HD sheet

What sets C#dim7 apart

Play C#dim7 one string at a time and you hear C#, E, G and Bb. C# is the root, E the minor third, G the flat fifth and Bb the diminished seventh. Said aloud, its notes are C sharp, E, G and B flat. Each note sits three semitones above the one before. Slide the same shape three frets and you get the same notes.

From the low string to the high one you hear C#, G, Bb and E. The lowest note is C# on string 5 and the highest is E on string 2.

C#dim7 is a closed shape with no open strings. Move it to another fret and the chord changes, but the fingering stays. Strings 6 and 1 are not played. Everything fits between frets 3 and 5. The second shape on this page starts at fret 8.

C#m7b5 is one change away. String 3 moves from fret 3 to fret 4, bringing in B, the minor seventh of C#m7b5. It shares two notes with C, E and G. Going to F#, two positions stay the same.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01C C - Am - Dm - G702G G - Em - Am - D703D D - Bm - Em - A704A A - F#m - Bm - E7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (C#dim7)

Formula: Diminished Seventh (1 - ♭3 - ♭5 - 𝄫7)
Constituent chord intervals:

C# 1E ♭3G ♭5Bb 𝄫7

Root Bass (Fundamental String)5th String (A) • Fret 4 (C#)

String Control (Muted & Active)4 / 6 • 2 X Muted

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for C#dim7:

01

Fret 3

Standard Position
4 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 4Finger 2
C#Degree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 5Finger 3
GDegree ♭5
3rd String (G)
Fret 3Finger 1
A#
2nd String (B)
Fret 5Finger 4
EDegree ♭3
1st String (High E)
×Muted
Do not play

Placement tip: Press: 5th String (A) at fret 4 with your Middle finger, 4th String (D) at fret 5 with your Ring finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 3 with your Index finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 5 with your Pinky finger. Don't play: 6th String (Low E), 1st String (High E).

02

Root on string 6

Inversion
4 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
Fret 9Finger 2
C#Degree 1
5th String (A)
×Muted
Do not play
4th String (D)
Fret 8Finger 1
A#
3rd String (G)
Fret 9Finger 3
EDegree ♭3
2nd String (B)
Fret 8Finger 1
GDegree ♭5
1st String (High E)
×Muted
Do not play

Placement tip: Press: 6th String (Low E) at fret 9 with your Middle finger, 4th String (D) at fret 8 with your Index finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 9 with your Ring finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 8 with your Index finger. Don't play: 5th String (A), 1st String (High E).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (C#dim7)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets3 to 5
Fretting fingers4
Opennone
Muted6th and 1st

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from C#dim7

Listen: C#dim7 → F# · Db · Bbm

  1. C#dim7
  2. F#
  3. C#dim7
  4. Db
  5. C#dim7
  6. Bbm
C#dim7 → F#01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:2 shared positions
Stay in place
  • string 5, fret 4
  • string 3, fret 3
Move
  • string 6, fret 2
  • string 4, fret 4
  • string 2, fret 2
  • string 1, fret 2
C#dim7 → Db02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 shared position
Stay in place
  • string 5, fret 4
Move
  • string 4, fret 6
  • string 3, fret 6
  • string 2, fret 6
  • string 1, fret 4
C#dim7 → Bbm03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 shared position
Stay in place
  • string 3, fret 3
Move
  • string 5, fret 1
  • string 4, fret 3
  • string 2, fret 2
  • string 1, fret 1

C#dim7 in every key

This chord type does not belong naturally to a major or minor scale: it is used as colour or passing tension.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty
3/5
Highest fret
5
Frets the hand covers
3
Barre
No
Strings that ring
4/6
Fretting fingers
4

C#dim7 on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (C#dim7)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the C#dim7 chord?

To play the C#dim7 chord on guitar, only 4 strings are played, from string 5 to string 2. Muted strings must be gently dampened with the fleshy side of a fretting finger to prevent dissonance.

What is the root bass note of the C#dim7 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the C#dim7 chord is its root note: C#. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 5 at fret 4.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the C#dim7 chord and what is its formula?

The C#dim7 chord is constructed using the 1 - ♭3 - ♭5 - 𝄫7 formula (Diminished Seventh). Its constituent pitches are C#, E, G, Bb.

How do you prevent the C#dim7 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the C#dim7 chord from buzzing or sounding muted, press the strings using the tips of your fingers at a strict 90-degree hammer angle. Position each finger immediately behind the fret wire with your thumb centered behind the neck.

Study sheet · High resolution

Official C#dim7 chord diagram

C#dim7 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the C# family:

Chord C#m Chord C#m7 Chord C# Chord C#7 Chord C#m7b5