CifraLab

Cdim Guitar Chord

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

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
CdimGuitar fingering diagram for CdimFret 3456×1243×STRING6ª×5ªC4ªF#3ªC2ªD#1ª×
View HD sheet

What sets Cdim apart

The notes of Cdim are C, Eb and Gb. C is the root, Eb the minor third and Gb the flat fifth. Said aloud, its notes are C, E flat and G flat.

From the low string to the high one you hear C, Gb, C and Eb. Of the four strings you play, two give C, the note that names the chord. The lowest note is C on string 5 and the highest is Eb on string 2.

Cdim 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.

Cdim7 is one change away. String 3 moves from fret 5 to fret 2, bringing in Bbb, the diminished seventh of Cdim7. It shares two notes with Ab, C and Eb. Going to F, one position stays the same.

You will find Cdim in two different keys. In Db major it is the vii° and in Bb minor the ii°.

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 (Cdim)

Formula: Diminished Triad (1 - ♭3 - ♭5)
Constituent chord intervals:

C 1Eb ♭3Gb ♭5

Root Bass (Fundamental String)5th String (A) • Fret 3 (C)

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

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for Cdim:

01

Triad

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 3Finger 1
CDegree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 4Finger 2
F#
3rd String (G)
Fret 5Finger 4
CDegree 1
2nd String (B)
Fret 4Finger 3
D#
1st String (High E)
×Muted
Do not play

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

02

Barre 8

Inversion
4 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
Fret 8Finger 1
CDegree 1
5th String (A)
Fret 9Finger 2
F#
4th String (D)
Fret 10Finger 3
CDegree 1
3rd String (G)
Fret 8Finger 1
D#
2nd String (B)
×Muted
Do not play
1st String (High E)
×Muted
Do not play

Placement tip: Press: 6th String (Low E) at fret 8 with your Index finger, 5th String (A) at fret 9 with your Middle finger, 4th String (D) at fret 10 with your Ring finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 8 with your Index finger. Don't play: 2nd String (B), 1st String (High E).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (Cdim)

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 Cdim

Listen: Cdim → F · Em · C

  1. Cdim
  2. F
  3. Cdim
  4. Em
  5. Cdim
  6. C
Cdim → F01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 shared position
Stay in place
  • string 5, fret 3
Move
  • string 6, fret 1
  • string 4, fret 3
  • string 3, fret 2
  • string 2, fret 1
  • string 1, fret 1
Cdim → Em02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:Full shape change

No finger is shared: place the bass on string 5 first, then the rest of the shape.

Move
  • finger 1: string 5, fret 2
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
Cdim → C03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:Full shape change

No finger is shared: place the bass on string 5 first, then the rest of the shape.

Move
  • finger 3: string 5, fret 3
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1

Cdim in every key

Cdim sits in the scale of 2 keys.

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

Major keys

Minor keys

Cdim 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 (Cdim)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the Cdim chord?

To play the Cdim 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 Cdim chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the Cdim chord is its root note: C. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 5 at fret 3.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the Cdim chord and what is its formula?

The Cdim chord is constructed using the 1 - ♭3 - ♭5 formula (Diminished Triad). Its constituent pitches are C, Eb, Gb.

How do you prevent the Cdim chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the Cdim 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 Cdim chord diagram

Cdim 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 Chord C#m Chord Cm Chord C7 Chord Cmaj7 Chord C#m7 Chord Cm7 Chord Csus2