Notes and intervals of C♯ minor
- C♯1 · root
- E♭3 · minor third
- G♯5 · perfect fifth
It shows up in ballads, boleros, pasillos and almost all popular music; in a major key it's usually the relative chord or the second degree.
Progressions with C♯m
Minor with a dominant: i – iv – V7 – i
The V7 comes from the harmonic minor scale and is typical of boleros, pasillos and ballads.
Modern minor: i – VI – III – VII
A very common progression in pop and rock, in C♯ natural minor.
Which keys contain C♯ minor?
C♯m belongs to 6 keys: in each one it plays a different role depending on the degree (the Roman numeral).
| Key | Degree |
|---|---|
| E major | vi |
| A major | iii |
| B major | ii |
| C♯ natural minor | i |
| F♯ natural minor | v |
| G♯ natural minor | iv |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C-sharp minor chord?
C♯ minor (C♯m) has 3 notes: C♯ (root), E (minor third), G♯ (perfect fifth).
How do you play C♯ minor on guitar?
The most common shape uses a barre at fret 4: x 4 6 6 5 4 (from the 6th to the 1st string). Barre fret 4 with your index finger from the 5th to the 1st string. Finger 3 (ring) on fret 6 of the 4th string (D). Finger 4 (pinky) on fret 6 of the 3rd string (G). Finger 2 (middle) on fret 5 of the 2nd string (B). Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.
Is C♯m the same as D♭m?
Yes: C♯ minor and D♭ minor sound the same and use the same fingering (they are enharmonic). The spelling depends on the song's key; you'll see both names in sheet music and songbooks.
What is the difference between C♯ minor and D♭ major?
Only the third changes: C♯ minor uses E and D♭ major uses F. That note is what makes the chord sound darker (minor) or brighter (major).
How do you write C♯ minor in letter chord notation?
It is written C♯m; you may also see C♯min or C♯-. Letter-name chord notation uses C, D, E, F, G, A and B for the notes.