transpose.siteC♯m chord (C♯ minor)
The C♯m chord (same sound as D♭m) is a minor chord built on C♯. A minor triad: a major chord with the third lowered by a half step. It sounds darker and calmer, common in ballads and minor-key songs.
C♯m 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 4 + Am shape
With a capo on for the whole song, every other chord moves by the same number of frets.
C♯m chord notes
| Degree | 1 (root) | ♭3 (minor 3rd) | 5 (perfect 5th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | C♯ | E | G♯ |
C♯m piano chord
On piano, press these 3 notes together. Bass players usually play the root, C♯.
Keys that use C♯m
- E major: vi
- A major: iii
- B major: ii
- C♯ minor: i
- F♯ minor: v
- G♯ minor: iv
Progressions in E major
- E – B – C♯m – A (I – V – vi – IV, the most common pop progression)
- E – C♯m – A – B (I – vi – IV – V, the '50s progression, ballads)
Transposing C♯m
One half step up, C♯m becomes Dm; one half step down, Cm. To change the key of a whole PDF score, open it in the free PDF transposer.