F♯ Diminished Chord

F#dim Level 5: The Abyss

F♯ Diminished (F#dim) is built from the notes F#, A, C. 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 F♯ Diminished Chord

Piano sample · tap to play

Notes and intervals

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

What does f♯ 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.

F♯ Diminished Chord in music

An angular chord that creates tension in the key of G major (as vii°). Also used in diminished scale patterns in jazz improvisation.

How to recognise f♯ 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

F# diminished is vii° in G major — one of the most common keys. Play G major → F# diminished → G major to hear the classic leading-tone resolution. The pull from F# diminished to G major is among the strongest in tonal music.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in a F♯ Diminished chord?
F♯ Diminished (F#dim) contains three notes: F#, A, C. The intervals are Root, Minor 3rd, Diminished 5th.
How do I recognise F♯ 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 F♯ Diminished in ChordFrog's Level 5 (The Abyss).
What level is F♯ Diminished in ChordFrog?
F♯ Diminished is introduced at Level 5: The Abyss. This is the final level, adding diminished and augmented triads for the complete chord vocabulary.

Other F# chords

F♯ Major Chord F♯ Minor Chord F♯ Augmented Chord F♯ Sus2 Chord F♯ Sus4 Chord

All Diminished Chords chords

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

Hear f♯ diminished chord for yourself

Train your ear to recognise this chord instantly with ChordFrog's progressive levels.

Coming soon

Requires iOS 16 or later.