C# Minor Chord (C#m) on Guitar
C#m (C# minor) is made of the notes C# – E – G#. The easiest guitar fingering is x42120 (low E to high e; x = muted, 0 = open). It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Easiest shape
Alternative shape
Higher position
How to play C#m
- 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#).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 2 (C#).
- 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) | 2 | C# | R |
| 1st string (high e) | 0 (open) | E | b3 |
What is a C# minor chord?
A minor chord replaces the major third with a minor third, a half step lower. The root and perfect fifth stay the same.
Notes and formula. C#m contains C#, E, G#. Counted from the root C#, that is R (root), b3 (minor 3rd), 5 (perfect 5th). It is also written Dbm; the two names sound identical and the name used depends on the key of the song.
Sound. Darker, more emotional and introspective than the major version of the same chord.
Where it is used. Minor chords give songs tension and melancholy. In a major key the ii, iii and vi chords are minor, and the vi chord is the relative minor, a favourite for ballads.
Tips for playing C#m
Learn each minor chord as a "major chord with one finger moved". Hearing the single-note change trains your ear to tell major from minor.
Common mistake: Playing the major shape by habit. Check the third: if you hear a bright sound where a sad one is needed, the third is wrong.
Keys that contain C#m
C#m 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#m
Related chords
C#m chord FAQ
What notes are in a C#m chord?
C#m (C# minor) contains the notes C#, E, G#. The formula is R–b3–5 relative to the root C#.
How do you play C#m on guitar?
The most common shape for C#m is x42120, read from the low E string to the high e string (x = muted, 0 = open, numbers = frets). It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Is C#m an easy guitar chord?
It is rated intermediate. It needs 4 fingers and no barre.
Is C#m the same as Dbm?
Yes. C# and Db are enharmonic: they are the same pitch with different names, so C#m and Dbm sound identical on guitar. The name used depends on the key of the song.
Which keys contain C#m?
C#m 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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