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C♯ 5th chord on guitar (C♯5)
Also called or written C♯5, C♯ or C♯ power chord
C♯ 5th contains the notes C♯ and G♯. This intermediate power chord at the fourth fret requires a two-fret stretch between the index and ring fingers.
How it is built
Formula 1, 5
- Root positionC♯–G♯C♯5×-4-6-6-×-×
- First inversionG♯–C♯C♯5/G♯4-4-6-6-×-×
How do you play a C♯ 5th chord on guitar?
C♯ 5th is played at the 4th fret as × 4 6 6 × ×: index finger on the A string at fret 4, middle finger on the D string at fret 6 and ring finger on the G string at fret 6. The low E, B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
| 4 (D) | 6 | 2 | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (G) | 6 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
IntermediateThe hardest part is the two-fret stretch between the index finger and the middle and ring fingers at the fourth fret.
9th fret
C♯ 5th is played at the 9th fret as 9 11 11 × × ×: index finger on the low E string at fret 9, middle finger on the A string at fret 11 and ring finger on the D string at fret 11. The G, B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
| 5 (A) | 11 | 2 | G♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 11 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
C♯5/G♯ inversion
C♯ 5th is played at the 4th fret as 4 4 6 6 × ×: index finger on the low E string at fret 4, middle finger on the A string at fret 4, ring finger on the D string at fret 6 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 6. The B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
| 4 (D) | 6 | 3 | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (G) | 6 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ 5th is built from the 1st and 5th degrees of the C♯ major scale, giving the formula 1–5. The perfect fifth interval produces the hollow, neutral sound of a power chord. Compare it with C♯ major, which adds the major third E♯ for a complete major triad.
What goes wrong with C♯ 5th?
- The 6th string sounds because the thumb does not mute it.
- The 2nd string rings open when the fretting hand fails to mute it.
- The 4th string buzzes because the middle finger is too far from the fret.
When to use it
C♯ 5th functions as the tonic in C♯ major progressions like C♯–F♯–G♯ (I–IV–V) or C♯–G♯–A♯m–F♯ (I–V–vi–IV). Its neutral fifth suits rock, punk, and metal rhythm parts. Use it with C♯ major and F♯ major for a full major sound.
Changing to and from C♯ 5th
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 3rd fret gives C 5th.
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 5th fret gives D 5th.
Which voicing to use
The 4th fret position is the default and works well for barre chord progressions. The 9th fret position moves the shape up the neck for a higher voicing. The C♯5/G♯ inversion puts the fifth in the bass, giving a less rooted, more open sound.
Other C♯ chords
Common questions
How is C♯ 5th written?
C♯ 5th is written as C♯5, C#5, or C♯ power chord. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between C♯ 5th and C♯ major?
C♯ 5th contains only C♯ and G♯, while C♯ major adds E♯. The missing third makes the power chord neutral and suitable for both major and minor contexts.
Can C♯ 5th be played on the 6th string?
Yes, the 9th fret position uses the 6th string at fret 9 for the root C♯. The default position mutes the 6th string to keep the bass note on the 5th string.