C Diminished Chord

Cdim Level 5: The Abyss

C Diminished (Cdim) is built from the notes C, Eb, F#. Its intervals are Root — Minor 3rd — Diminished 5th. Tense, compressed, and unstable. The diminished triad sounds like it needs to go somewhere — it creates a feeling of suspense, anxiety, or unresolved drama.

Hear C Diminished Chord

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Notes and intervals

Interval Semitones Note
Root 0 C
Minor 3rd 3 Eb
Diminished 5th 6 F#

What does c diminished chord sound like?

Tense, compressed, and unstable. The diminished triad sounds like it needs to go somewhere — it creates a feeling of suspense, anxiety, or unresolved drama.

C Diminished Chord in music

A transitional chord that creates urgency. Often appears as a passing chord leading to Db major or resolving back to C in classical and jazz contexts.

How to recognise c diminished chord by ear

Diminished sounds "squeezed." Both intervals are minor thirds, creating a tight, symmetrical structure. If a chord makes you feel uneasy or tense — like something is about to happen — that's diminished.

Practice identifying this chord in ChordFrog's Level 5: The Abyss .

Practice tip

Play C major, then C minor, then C diminished in sequence. Each step lowers one note: the third drops from E to Eb (minor), then the fifth drops from G to Gb (diminished). This three-step comparison makes diminished's compressed quality unmistakable.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in a C Diminished chord?
C Diminished (Cdim) contains three notes: C, Eb, F#. The intervals are Root, Minor 3rd, Diminished 5th.
How do I recognise C Diminished by ear?
Diminished sounds "squeezed." Both intervals are minor thirds, creating a tight, symmetrical structure. If a chord makes you feel uneasy or tense — like something is about to happen — that's diminished. Practice identifying C Diminished in ChordFrog's Level 5 (The Abyss).
What level is C Diminished in ChordFrog?
C Diminished is introduced at Level 5: The Abyss. This is the final level, adding diminished and augmented triads for the complete chord vocabulary.

Other C chords

C Major Chord C Minor Chord C Augmented Chord C Sus2 Chord C Sus4 Chord

All Diminished Chords chords

D♭ Diminished Chord D Diminished Chord E♭ Diminished Chord E Diminished Chord F Diminished Chord F♯ Diminished Chord G Diminished Chord A♭ Diminished Chord A Diminished Chord B♭ Diminished Chord B Diminished Chord

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