Cdim7

Q: What notes are in the Cdim7 chord?

The Cdim7 chord (C Diminished 7th) contains: C, Eb, Gb, A. Its interval structure is shown above in the Theory section.

Q: How do I build Cdim7 on the keyboard?

Take the root and add the remaining chord tones following the interval formula. The highlight shows chord content, while the inversion control changes which chord tone is in the bass.

Q: Which keys is Cdim7 found in?

The chord acts as a diatonic degree in several keys — they are marked on the circle of fifths in the "Harmonic context" block.

Q: What can I substitute for Cdim7?

A substitution depends on harmonic function and voice leading, not only on shared tones. Computed options appear in the "Substitutions" block and should be checked in context.

C Diminished 7th

Octaves

Musical context

ChordCdimTriad

ChordCdim7C Diminished 7th

ArpeggioC minorBroken triad

ScaleC minor7 notes

KeyC minorMinor key

ProgressionAndalusianSequence

How the chord relates to the scale, mode, key and progression.

Theory

General info

Full name: C Diminished 7th
Symbol: Cdim7
Root: C
Quality: Diminished 7th

Chord notes

1Croot

b3Ebminor 3rd

b5Gbdim 5th

bb7Adim 7th

Functions & resolutions

Stability / tension: Maximum tension — extremely unstable
Most common resolutions: C#C# Major EE Major
Unstable degrees: 2D
b3D#
resolves down to the 2nd
4F
b5F#
resolves inward to the 4th
b6G#
bb7A
resolves down to the tonic 5th
Main resolution: Cdim7source
C#C# Major
Diminished Cdim acts as a leading-tone chord — resolves up a half step to C#. All tones are unstable, moving by semitones inward and outward to stable degrees.
Other resolutions: Cdim7source
Deceptive resolution
EE Major
Due to its symmetry, a diminished 7th chord can resolve to any major or minor chord a minor 3rd apart.
Cdim7source
Modal resolution
DmD Minor
In modal context, a diminished chord can be used as a passing chord, connecting two diatonic chords through chromatic bass motion.
Cdim7source
Jazz reharmonization
B7B Dominant 7
In jazz, dim7 is often reinterpreted as a rootless dominant 7b9. For example, Cdim7 ≈ B7b9, opening additional resolution paths.
Cdim7source
Functional resolution
GmG Minor
A diminished chord can function as a leading-tone chord to any degree — not just the tonic. Often used before the ii, iii, or vi degrees.

Features

Character: Fully diminished, symmetric and unstable
Characteristic interval: Diminished 7th (°7)
Description: Four tones are stacked in minor 3rds; the diminished 5th and 7th create two tritones. Symmetry allows any tone to be enharmonically reinterpreted as the root.
Application: Leading-tone seventh in minor
Secondary leading-tone chords
Chromatic voice leading

Voicing & structure

Root position

v1C(C4)Bass

root

v2Eb(Eb4)m3from C

v3Gb(Gb4)m3from Eb

v4A(A4)m3from Gb

Harmony

Typical progressions: I-V-vi-IV
C—G—Am—F
Pop

Compatible scales

All chord tones are contained in these scales — use them for improvisation.

ScaleC Romanian minor ScaleC Ukrainian Dorian ScaleD# Romanian minor ScaleD# Ukrainian Dorian ScaleF# Romanian minor ScaleF# Ukrainian Dorian ScaleA Romanian minor ScaleA Ukrainian Dorian ScaleC# Harmonic minor ScaleC# Harmonic major

This chord on guitar 🎸

See how Cdim7 looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

Highlighted major keys contain this chord among their diatonic harmonies.

Relative key: AmA minor
Dominant: GG major
Subdominant: FF major
Key signature: None

What to learn next

ScaleC Chromatic scaleScale to improvise over this chord ChordC DiminishedA nearby chord on the same root — compare the sound PracticeChord trainerLock the fingering into muscle memory ProgressionChord progressionsHow this chord works inside real progressions ChordC Half-dim 7Another related chord to practise

Recommended for you

C DiminishedA chord that sounds close

C Half-dim 7A chord that sounds close

C Chromatic scaleA scale related to this chord

C Diminished scaleA scale related to this chord

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.

Open Trainer

Test yourself

(Press any key to start)

What notes are in the Cdim7 chord?

How do I build Cdim7 on the keyboard?

Which keys is Cdim7 found in?

What can I substitute for Cdim7?