C#dim

C#dim is C#, E and G, a diminished triad. The shape this page opens on is written x42x23, lowest string first.

Also written C#°, C#o or C# diminished. The same chord either way; which spelling you meet depends on who wrote the chart.

There are 4 common shapes for C#dim on the guitar, and 54 derived voicings in 2 families.

In which keys. Every note of C#dim belongs to D major (the vii°) and B minor (the ii°).

The common shapes, written lowest string first: x42x23, x4565x, 97x98x, x-x-11-12-x-12.

Triad. Three notes across one string set. C#dim has x420xx, xx202x, 342xxx, xxx020, x4202x, 0420xx, xx2020, xx2023.

Open string. An open string left ringing against a fretted grip. Because it costs no finger, it sounds a note the closed shape has none left for -- a tension on top, or a pedal root underneath. Either a familiar grip with open strings added, or a shape so sparse the open strings carry the chord. These belong to their key rather than to a shape, so D, A, G and E have many and Eb a handful. C#dim has 00565x, 004020, 0440xx, 0x707x, 0020xx, xx2020.

Tensions. A shell of C#dim, root, third and seventh, leaves a string free, and the tones that belong over it are the 11 (F#) and the b13 (A).

The common shapes and the derived voicings come from different places, and both are explained in where the chords and the theory come from.