transpose.siteC♯ chord (C♯ major)
The C♯ chord (same sound as D♭) is a major chord built on C♯. A major triad: the root with a major third and a perfect fifth on top. It sounds bright and settled, which is why it opens and closes so many songs.
C♯ guitar chord
Common shape
Barre, root on 6th string (fret 9)
The left vertical line is the 6th (thickest) string. Numbers in dots are fingers (1 index · 2 middle · 3 ring · 4 little), × means don't play that string and ○ means open.
Play it the easy way with a capo
- Capo on fret 1 + C shape
- Capo on fret 4 + A shape
- Capo on fret 6 + G shape
With a capo on for the whole song, every other chord moves by the same number of frets.
C♯ chord notes
| Degree | 1 (root) | 3 (major 3rd) | 5 (perfect 5th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | C♯ | E♯ | G♯ |
C♯ piano chord
On piano, press these 3 notes together. Bass players usually play the root, C♯.
Keys that use C♯
- D♭ major: I (written D♭)
- F♯ major: V
- A♭ major: IV (written D♭)
- E♭ minor: VII (written D♭)
- F minor: VI (written D♭)
- B♭ minor: III (written D♭)
Progressions in D♭ major
- C♯ – A♭ – B♭m – G♭ (I – V – vi – IV, the most common pop progression)
- C♯ – B♭m – G♭ – A♭ (I – vi – IV – V, the '50s progression, ballads)
Transposing C♯
One half step up, C♯ becomes D; one half step down, C. To change the key of a whole PDF score, open it in the free PDF transposer.