C diminished guitar chord (Cdim)
A diminished chord stacks two minor thirds: root, minor third, diminished fifth. Tense and unstable, it is mostly used as a passing chord.
Positions and fingerings
Position 1 fret 3
Position 2 fret 8
Position 3 fret 10
× muted string · o open string · numbers: fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky)
Chord notes
| Note | Interval |
|---|---|
| C | root |
| E♭ (E flat) | minor third |
| G♭ (G flat) | diminished fifth |
Formula: 1 – b3 – b5 · C – E♭ – G♭
A progression with this chord
The diminished chord works as a passing chord to the chord a semitone above.