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F-sharp Diminished Chord
The F-sharp Diminished Chord is F-sharp, A, and C: a black key under the thumb with two white keys above it. The two notes above the root stack closely, so the shape is compact, and the sound is unsettled, as if it wants to move somewhere. That pull is what makes it useful, and it usually resolves to a G chord.
How to play the F-sharp Diminished Chord on the piano
Let’s go through some charts that will familiarize you with the F-sharp Diminished Chord and how to play it in the various forms you will encounter in pieces of music. First, we’ll look at the fundamental chord and its inversions; then, we’ll explore some more complex voicings.
The F-sharp Diminished Chord in root position
In root position, the notes of the F♯ diminished chord are stacked in thirds with F♯ on the bottom. The appearance on the staff is evenly spaced, as is the feeling of the space in between your fingers while playing.
| F-sharp Diminished Chord in root position | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | F♯ A C |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | F♯dim or F♯° |
The F-sharp Diminished Chord in first inversion
In first inversion, the third of the chord (A) becomes the bottom note, and the root (F♯) jumps up to the top.
| F-sharp Diminished Chord in 1st inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | A C F♯ |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 2 5 |
| Chord Symbol | F♯°6 or F♯°/A |
The F-sharp Diminished Chord in second inversion
In second inversion, the fifth of the chord (C) is on the bottom, and the third of the chord (A) goes to the top.
| F-sharp Diminished Chord in 2nd inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | C F♯ A |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 2 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | F♯°6/4 or F♯°/C |
F-sharp Diminished Chord theory and function
A diminished chord stacks two minor thirds, and the result is tense and unsettled. It is never a place to rest. It behaves like a dominant 7th chord with the root missing, so it wants to move.
The F♯ diminished chord is the leading-tone chord (vii°) in G major. In minor keys, it is the leading-tone chord (vii°) in G minor and the supertonic (ii°) in E minor. On the keyboard this is the same chord as G♭ diminished, a spelling none of the common keys uses.
The notes F♯, A, and C are the top three notes of D7, so the chord leads to G the way D7 does. A common use is as a passing chord over a rising bass line, I – vii°6 – I6: G – F♯°/A – G/B, so the bass walks G, A, B. Try playing F♯° and then G and listen to how the tension settles.
Other chords built on F-sharp
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