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Cdim7 chord on guitar

Cdim7 (C diminished seventh) is C, E♭, G♭ and B𝄫. The easiest way to play it is on four strings, written x3424x, with no barre. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 4th fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 4th fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th. Mute the 1st string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

Cdim7

C diminished seventh · C E♭ G♭ B𝄫 · 1 ♭3 ♭5 ♭♭7

  • 2nd fret

    Root on the 5th string

    2314CG♭B𝄫E♭

    x3424x

  • 7th fret

    Root on the 6th string

    7fr2131CB𝄫E♭G♭

    8x787x

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are C, the root.

How to play Cdim7

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Root on the 5th string · 2nd fret

    x3424x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 3rd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 4th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 4th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.
    • Mute the 1st string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

  2. 2. Root on the 6th string · 7th fret

    8x787x
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 4th to 2nd strings at the 7th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 6th string, 8th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 8th fret.
    • Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

Notes in the Cdim7 chord

Cdim7 is C, E♭, G♭ and B𝄫, and it sounds dramatic and suspenseful, the classic film-villain chord. From C, count 3 half steps up to E♭, 3 more to G♭ and 3 more to B𝄫. Its formula is 1 ♭3 ♭5 ♭♭7. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with C lowest. See its inversions and keys on the Cdim7 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Cdim7

D♭mx46654Cdim7 is the vii°7 of D♭m: every note leans into it.D♭x46664The same half step up into D♭, home in the major key.

More guitar chords

Other chords on C

CCmC7Cmaj7Cm7Csus2Csus4Cadd9C9C6CdimCm7♭5Caug

Diminished seventh chords on other notes

C♯dim7Ddim7D♯dim7Edim7Fdim7F♯dim7Gdim7G♯dim7Adim7A♯dim7Bdim7

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Cdim7 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is on four strings, written x3424x, with no barre. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 4th fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 4th fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th. Mute the 1st string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

What notes are in the Cdim7 chord?

Cdim7 is C, E♭, G♭ and B𝄫. In the shape written x3424x, the 5th to 2nd strings play C, G♭, B𝄫 and E♭.

Is Cdim7 a barre chord?

No: none of its shapes here needs a barre.

How many ways can you play Cdim7 on guitar?

This page shows two: x3424x (2nd fret) and 8x787x (7th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with Cdim7?

Yes. “Make a beat in C♯ minor” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C♯ minor on C♯m A E B, the key where Cdim7 is the vii°7 chord (written B♯dim7). Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in C♯ minor

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C♯ minor on C♯m A E B, the key where Cdim7 is the vii°7 chord (written B♯dim7). Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in C♯ minorAll guitar chords

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