Piano chords › C diminished 7th

C diminished 7th chord

Symbol: Cdim7 · Notes: C – E♭ – G♭ – B𝄫 (= A)

Three minor thirds stacked: the chord is symmetrical, it splits the octave into four equal parts. Very tense, it serves as a passing chord or in place of the dominant.

How it is built

• C: root
• E♭: minor third
• G♭: diminished fifth
• B𝄫 (= A): diminished seventh

Fingering: right hand 1 2 3 5, left hand 5 3 2 1 (1 = thumb, 5 = pinky).

Its inversions

• Root position: C – E♭ – G♭ – B𝄫
• 1st inversion: E♭ – G♭ – B𝄫 – C
• 2nd inversion: G♭ – B𝄫 – C – E♭
• 3rd inversion: B𝄫 – C – E♭ – G♭

In which keys

• VII in C♯ harmonic minor

Other C chords

C · Cm · C7 · Cmaj7 · Cm7 · Csus2 · Csus4 · Cdim · C+ · C6 · Cm6 · Cadd9 · Cm7♭5

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