C sharp minor (C♯m) is a three-note chord: C♯, E and G♯. C♯ and G♯ are black keys; the other note is a white key. On the keyboard above, the chord is lit starting in the octave of middle C, and Play chord lets you hear it.
How to find C♯m on the keyboard
- C♯ is the left black key of a pair.
- E is the white key just right of a pair of black keys.
- G♯ is the middle black key of a group of three.
Fingering
In root position, play C♯m with the right hand using fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger and little finger); with the left hand, use 5, 3 and 1. Keep your wrist level and your fingers curved, and press the keys at the same moment so the chord sounds as one.
Inversions
The same notes can be stacked in a different order. Each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave.
- Root position, the root in the bass: C♯ – E – G♯. Right hand 1-3-5, left hand 5-3-1.
- First inversion, E in the bass: E – G♯ – C♯. Right hand 1-2-5, left hand 5-3-1.
- Second inversion, G♯ in the bass: G♯ – C♯ – E. Right hand 1-3-5, left hand 5-2-1.
Chords that sit next to each other in a key often share one or two notes, so choosing the right inversion can keep your hand almost still when the chord changes.
How C♯m is built
C♯m has a root, a minor third three half steps above it (E) and a perfect fifth seven half steps above the root (G♯). Between C♯ and E are three half steps, and between E and G♯ four. The smaller third at the bottom is what makes the chord minor, darker than C♯ major (C♯, E♯ and G♯), whose middle note is one key higher.
Keys that use C♯m
C♯m belongs to these keys (the roman numeral shows its place in each):
- i in C♯ minor
- ii in B major
- iii in A major
- vi in E major
- iv in G♯ minor
- v in F♯ minor
Progressions to try
- i – iv – v in C♯ minor: C♯m – F♯m – G♯m. Swap the last chord for a major G♯ (the V of harmonic minor) for a stronger pull home.
- i – VI – III – VII in C♯ minor: C♯m – A – E – B.
- I – V – vi – IV in E major, where C♯m is the vi chord: E – B – C♯m – A.
Play each chord for four beats and repeat the loop. The chord finder shows every chord in these progressions.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C sharp minor chord?
C sharp minor (C#m) is C#, E and G#. C# and G# are black keys.
How do you play C#m on the piano?
Put your right thumb on C# and play E with your middle finger and G# with your little finger, pressing all the keys together. With the left hand, use fingers 5, 3 and 1.
What are the inversions of C#m?
First inversion: E G# C#; Second inversion: G# C# E. Each keeps the same notes and moves the lowest one to the top.
What is the relative major of C sharp minor?
E major. Its root is three half steps above C#, and the two keys share the same key signature.
Which keys contain the C sharp minor chord?
C# minor (as i), B major (as ii), A major (as iii), E major (as vi), G# minor (as iv), F# minor (as v).