C♯ diminished (C♯dim) chord on banjo

The C♯ diminished chord (C♯dim) is a diminished triad (two minor thirds), made of three notes: C♯ – E – G. The same chord with a different spelling: D♭ diminished (D♭dim).

Dots show:

Basic shapeeasy

Position 5medium

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What the C♯dim chord sounds like

A diminished triad is two stacked minor thirds with a diminished fifth. It sounds tense and unsettled; in a major key it sits on degree vii and leads into the tonic.

Notes of the C♯dim chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	C♯	root
3	E	minor third (3 semitones)
5	G	diminished fifth (6 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Basic shape

String 1 (D): fret 2, ring finger (E4)
String 2 (B): fret 2, middle finger (C♯4)
String 3 (G): open (G3)
String 4 (D): fret 2, index finger (E3)

Position 5

String 1 (D): fret 5, ring finger (G4)
String 2 (B): fret 5, middle finger (E4)
String 3 (G): fret 6, little finger (C♯4)
String 4 (D): fret 5, index finger (G3)

Five-string banjo in open G tuning (g D G B D). The diagram shows the four long strings; the short 5th string (g) rings open – avoid it when G is not in the chord. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Which keys is it in?

The C♯dim chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

D major: vii°
D minor: vii°
B minor: ii°

Similar chords and substitutes

If C♯dim is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

A7 – an incomplete dominant: the diminished chord is the top of this seventh chord
D – where it leads (leading tone → root)

Richer versions

C♯dim7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
C♯m7b5 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C♯dim chord?

C♯, E, G. The root is C♯; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, diminished fifth.

What is the easiest way to play C♯dim on banjo?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”, rated easy. We show 2 shapes, from open and easy versions to movable barre shapes higher up the neck.

How do I read the chord diagram?

Strings run from the lowest (left) to the highest (right) – tick “Left-handed” to mirror it. Rows are frets; a number at the side shows the starting fret. Dots are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little), a long bar is a barre, × means don't play that string and ○ means play it open.

How is the C♯dim chord written?

The chord symbol is C♯dim (also written C#dim), and its full name is C♯ diminished.