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C♯ minor 7th chord on bass (C♯m7)
Also called or written C♯m7 or C♯min7
C♯ minor 7th contains C♯, E, G♯, and B. The 9th-fret shape requires a pinky stretch to the 11th fret, testing left-hand flexibility on bass.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7
How do you play a C♯ minor 7th chord on bass?
C♯ minor 7th is played at the 9th fret as 9 11 9 9: index finger on the E string at fret 9, pinky finger on the A string at fret 11, middle finger on the D string at fret 9 and ring finger on the G string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (A) | 11 | 4 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 2 | B (♭7) |
| 1 (G) | 9 | 3 | E (♭3) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach the 11th fret on the A string while the other fingers hold the 9th fret, requiring a wide stretch and precise finger placement.
C♯m7/G♯ inversion
C♯ minor 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 4 4 2 4: middle finger on the E string at fret 4, ring finger on the A string at fret 4, index finger on the D string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4 | 2 | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (A) | 4 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | 4 | 4 | B (♭7) |
C♯m7/B inversion
C♯ minor 7th is played at the 6th fret as 7 7 6 6: ring finger on the E string at fret 7, pinky finger on the A string at fret 7, index finger on the D string at fret 6 and middle finger on the G string at fret 6.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 3 | B (♭7) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (♭3) |
| 2 (D) | 6 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (G) | 6 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ minor 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7. The minor 7th interval from C♯ to B gives the chord its mellow, unresolved character. Compare it with C♯ minor, which omits the B.
What goes wrong with C♯ minor 7th?
- Letting the pinky flatten and mute the 2nd string.
- Allowing the ring finger to touch the 1st string and damp the G♯.
- Strumming before the pinky is fully fretted, causing a buzz on the 3rd string.
When to use it
C♯ minor 7th functions as the vi chord in E major, appearing in progressions like E–B–C♯m–A (I–V–vi–IV). It suits rock ballads and soul, often paired with E major and A major.
Changing to and from C♯ minor 7th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 7th fret gives B minor 7th.
- From C♯ minor 7th, move the pinky from the 11th fret to the 12th fret on the A string to form D minor 7th.
Which voicing to use
Use the 9th-fret voicing for a root-position C♯ minor 7th with a low C♯. The C♯m7/G♯ inversion at the 4th fret places the fifth in the bass for a smoother sound, while the C♯m7/B inversion at the 7th fret puts the seventh in the bass for a descending line.
Other C♯ chords
Common questions
How is C♯ minor 7th written?
C♯ minor 7th is written as C♯min7 or C♯m7. The ASCII root is C#, so it is often typed as C#m7. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between C♯ minor 7th and C♯ minor?
C♯ minor 7th adds the note B, a minor 7th above C♯, to the C♯ minor triad. The added seventh gives the chord a more relaxed, jazzy quality.
Can C♯ minor 7th be played in an open position?
No, the root C♯ is on the 9th fret of the E string, so the default voicing is fretted. The C♯m7/G♯ inversion at the 4th fret uses lower frets but still requires fretting all strings.
Why is the C♯m7/B inversion useful?
The C♯m7/B inversion places the seventh, B, in the bass, creating a smooth descending bass line when moving to A major or G♯ minor.