C♯dim
C# Diminished — tense and unstable by design — built from stacked minor thirds, it begs to resolve.
The keys
C♯ – E – G
What's inside C♯dim
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| C♯ | Root | 1 |
| E | Minor 3rd | b3 |
| G | Diminished 5th | b5 |
Inversions
| Position | Keys (low → high) |
|---|---|
| Root position | D♭4 – E4 – G4 |
| 1st inversion | E4 – G4 – D♭5 |
| 2nd inversion | G4 – D♭5 – E5 |
A working voicing
Split the chord between two hands the way working players do — a solid shell low down, the colour tones up top:
| Hand | Keys |
|---|---|
| Left (shell) | D♭2 – D♭3 |
| Right (colour) | E4 – G4 |
Where C♯dim lives
As the I chord
C♯dim → G♭ → A♭ → C♯dim
The classic I–IV–V–I motion with this chord as home.
In a ii–V–I
E♭m7 → A♭7 → C♯dim
The strongest cadence in harmony, resolving onto this chord.
Put C♯dim under your fingers
Hear every voicing, see the keys light up, and drill it in the interactive Chord & Voicing Lab.
Open the Chord & Voicing Lab →