C Sharp Diminished (also written Dbdim)
C#dim is made of 3 notes: C#, E and G. Here it is in root position, with C# at the bottom.
Inside Notley Piano: all the inversions of C#dim, fingering for both hands, a play button, and practice that helps you remember it.
| Note | Degree | Interval from C# |
|---|---|---|
| C# | 1 | root |
| E | b3 | minor 3rd |
| G | b5 | diminished 5th |
A diminished chord stacks two minor 3rds, so it has a flat 5th. It sounds tense and unstable, and is usually used as a passing chord.