C#m7 Chord (C# minor 7th) on Guitar
C#m7 (C# minor 7th) is made of the notes C# – E – G# – B. The easiest guitar fingering is x42100 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It needs 3 fingers and no barre.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
Higher position
How to play C#m7
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 4 (C#).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 2 (E).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 1 (G#).
- Play the 2nd string (B) open (B).
- Play the 1st string (high e) open (E).
- Do not play the 6th string (low E).
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6th string (low E) | x (mute) | - | |
| 5th string (A) | 4 | C# | R |
| 4th string (D) | 2 | E | b3 |
| 3rd string (G) | 1 | G# | 5 |
| 2nd string (B) | 0 (open) | B | b7 |
| 1st string (high e) | 0 (open) | E | b3 |
What is a C# minor 7th chord?
A minor 7th chord is a minor triad with a minor seventh added on top.
Notes and formula. C#m7 contains C#, E, G#, B. Counted from the root C#, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), 5 (perfect 5th), b7 (minor 7th). It is also written Dbm7; the two names sound identical and the name used depends on the key of the song.
Sound. Mellow, warm and relaxed. It is minor without the sadness of a plain minor triad.
Where it is used. Everywhere in funk, soul, R&B, jazz and lo-fi. It is the ii chord in jazz ii-V-I progressions and a common substitute for the plain minor chord.
Tips for playing C#m7
Many minor 7th shapes are easier than the minor chord itself because they lift a finger. Try swapping Am for Am7 in a song you know.
Common mistake: Treating m7 and maj7 as the same. The "m" means the third is minor; the 7 means the seventh is a minor seventh.
Keys that contain C#m7
C#m7 is a diatonic chord, meaning it occurs naturally without accidentals, in these keys:
- E major – vi chord
- A major – iii chord
- B major – ii chord
- C# minor – i chord
- F# minor – v chord
- Ab minor – iv chord
Try it in a progression: browse chord progressions for every key.
Scales to play over C#m7
Related chords
C#m7 chord FAQ
What notes are in a C#m7 chord?
C#m7 (C# minor 7th) contains the notes C#, E, G#, B. The formula is R–b3–5–b7 relative to the root C#.
How do you play C#m7 on guitar?
The most common shape for C#m7 is x42100, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It needs 3 fingers and no barre.
Is C#m7 an easy guitar chord?
It is rated beginner. It needs 3 fingers and no barre.
Is C#m7 the same as Dbm7?
Yes. C# and Db are enharmonic: they are the same pitch with different names, so C#m7 and Dbm7 sound identical on guitar. The name used depends on the key of the song.
Which keys contain C#m7?
C#m7 is a diatonic chord in E major (vi), A major (iii), B major (ii), C# minor (i), F# minor (v), Ab minor (iv).
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