Cdim
C Diminished
1 ♭3 ♭5
Notes in Cdim
CR
E♭♭3
F♯♭5
The Cdim chord contains 3 notes: C, E♭, F♯
Intervals
| Interval | Semitones | Note | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| R | 0 | C | Root |
| ♭3 | 3 | E♭ | Minor 3rd |
| ♭5 | 6 | F♯ | Diminished 5th |
About C Diminished Chords
Diminished chords stack two minor 3rds, creating a tense, unstable sound. They often function as passing chords or leading tones — a B diminished chord naturally pulls toward C major. In film scores, diminished chords signal tension and danger.
Compatible Scales & Modes
These scales contain all the notes of Cdim and can be used for soloing, improvising, and writing melodies over this chord.
C Locrian
The natural mode for diminished chords — though rarely used for extended soloing.
Whole-Half Diminished Scale
The symmetric scale built for diminished harmony — 8 notes alternating whole and half steps.