C-sharp minor chord (C#m)
The C♯ minor chord (C♯m) is a minor triad made of C♯, E and G♯: root, minor third and perfect fifth.
It is the i in C♯ minor and the vi in E major; its relative major is E major, and G♯ dominant seventh leads into it as its V7.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play C♯ minor on guitar
There are 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-4-6-6-5-4, barre at fret 4, with C♯ in the bass (fingers x-1-3-4-2-1).
- Voicing 2: 9-11-11-9-9-9, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 9, with C♯ in the bass.
Notes of the C♯ minor chord on the fretboard
C♯ minor has 3 notes: C♯, E and G♯. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): E (0) · G♯ (4) · C♯ (9) · E (12)
- String 5 (A): C♯ (4) · E (7) · G♯ (11)
- String 4 (D): E (2) · G♯ (6) · C♯ (11)
- String 3 (G): G♯ (1) · C♯ (6) · E (9)
- String 2 (B): C♯ (2) · E (5) · G♯ (9)
- String 1 (E): E (0) · G♯ (4) · C♯ (9) · E (12)
Formula and intervals of C♯ minor
Its formula is 1-♭3-5; in semitones from the root, 0-3-7.
- C♯: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- E: Minor third (m3), 3 semitones above C♯
- G♯: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above C♯
C♯ minor on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 1-1-0-4, barre at fret 1; it sounds G♯, C♯, E and C♯.
C♯ minor on piano
- Keys: C♯4, E4 and G♯4.
Inversions of C♯ minor
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: C♯, E and G♯, with C♯ in the bass.
- First inversion (C♯m/E): E, G♯ and C♯, with E in the bass.
- Second inversion (C♯m/G♯): G♯, C♯ and E, with G♯ in the bass.
Keys that use C♯ minor
C♯ minor appears in 6 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| B major (5 sharps) | ii | Supertonic |
| A major (3 sharps) | iii | Mediant |
| E major (4 sharps) | vi | Submediant |
| C♯ minor (4 sharps) | i | Tonic |
| G♯ minor (5 sharps) | iv | Subdominant |
| F♯ minor (3 sharps) | v | Dominant |
Progressions with C♯ minor
- Pop progression in E major (I–V–vi–IV): E – B – C♯m – A
- Pop progression starting on vi in E major (vi–IV–I–V): C♯m – A – E – B
- Turnaround in E major (I–vi–ii–V): E – C♯m – F♯m – B
- Minor cadence in C♯ minor (i–iv–V7): C♯m – F♯m – G♯7
- Minor pop progression in C♯ minor (i–VI–III–VII): C♯m – A – E – B
C♯ minor or D♭ minor?
C♯ minor (C♯m) and D♭ minor (D♭m) are the same chord with two names: they sound the same and use the same frets.
The spelling depends on the key: it is written D♭ minor in flat keys and C♯ minor in sharp keys.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C♯ minor chord?
C♯, E and G♯: root, minor third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-♭3-5.
Which keys use C♯ minor?
Mainly as the i in C♯ minor and the vi in E major. In total it appears in 6 major and minor keys.
Is D♭ minor the same chord as C♯ minor?
Yes: D♭ minor and C♯ minor sound the same and are played the same way. It is written D♭ minor in flat keys and C♯ minor in sharp keys.
What is the relative major of C♯ minor?
E major. C♯ minor and E major are the tonic chords of two relative keys, which share the same key signature and the same scale notes.