Explore chords · Guitar
C♯ minor chord on guitar (C♯m)
Also called or written C♯m or C♯min
C♯ minor is built from C♯, E, and G♯. Its 4th-fret barre shape demands a clean index barre across five strings while the pinky reaches fret 6.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5
- Root positionC♯–E–G♯C♯m×-4-6-6-5-4
- First inversionE–G♯–C♯C♯m/E×-×-2-1-2-0
- Second inversionG♯–C♯–EC♯m/G♯4-4-6-6-5-4
How do you play a C♯ minor chord on guitar?
C♯ minor is played at the 4th fret as × 4 6 6 5 4: barre your index finger across fret 4, ring finger on the D string at fret 6, pinky finger on the G string at fret 6 and middle finger on the B string at fret 5. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 4 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
| 4 (D) | 6 | 3 | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (G) | 6 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (B) | 5 | 2 | E (♭3) |
| 1 (e) | 4 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
IntermediateThe index barre must fret the A string and high e cleanly while the pinky reaches fret 6 on the G string.
9th fret
C♯ minor is played at the 9th fret as 9 11 11 9 9 9: barre your index finger across fret 9, ring finger on the A string at fret 11 and pinky finger on the D string at fret 11.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
| 5 (A) | 11 | 3 | G♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 11 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (G) | 9 | 1 (barre) | E (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 9 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (e) | 9 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
C♯min/E inversion · open position — the easy shape, no barre
C♯ minor is played in open position as × × 2 1 2 0: middle finger on the D string at fret 2, index finger on the G string at fret 1 and ring finger on the B string at fret 2. The high e string rings open. The low E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 2 | E (♭3) |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (B) | 2 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (♭3) |
C♯min/E inversion · fret 5
C♯ minor is played at the 5th fret as × 7 6 6 5 ×: pinky finger on the A string at fret 7, middle finger on the D string at fret 6, ring finger on the G string at fret 6 and index finger on the B string at fret 5. The low E and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (♭3) |
| 4 (D) | 6 | 2 | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (G) | 6 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (B) | 5 | 1 | E (♭3) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
C♯min/E inversion · fret 11
C♯ minor is played at the 11th fret as 12 11 11 13 × ×: ring finger on the low E string at fret 12, index finger on the A string at fret 11, middle finger on the D string at fret 11 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 13. The B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 12 | 3 | E (♭3) |
| 5 (A) | 11 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 4 (D) | 11 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (G) | 13 | 4 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ minor uses the formula 1, ♭3, 5. The minor 3rd between C♯ and E gives the chord its dark quality. Raising that E to E♯ creates C♯ major, the closest contrast.
What goes wrong with C♯ minor?
- Letting the low E string ring over the barre; mute it with the tip of your index finger.
- Pressing the barre flat so the B string buzzes under the middle finger.
- Allowing the pinky to touch the D string, deadening the ring finger's note.
When to use it
C♯ minor is the vi chord in E major, appearing in the vi–IV–I–V progression: C♯ minor–A major–E major–B major. Its dark, driving sound suits rock and metal rhythm parts.
Changing to and from C♯ minor
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 2nd fret gives B minor.
- From C♯ minor, lift the barre and move your index to the A string fret 2 for E major.
Which voicing to use
The 4th-fret barre shape gives a thick, midrange-heavy sound with C♯ in the bass. The C♯min/E inversion at the 1st fret is easier and lighter, with E in the bass for a smoother blend.
Other C♯ chords
Common questions
How is C♯ minor written?
C♯ minor is written as C♯m, C♯min, C♯−, or C♯mi. On a keyboard, use C# for the root. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between C♯ minor and C♯ major?
C♯ minor has a minor 3rd (E), while C♯ major has a major 3rd (E♯). The minor 3rd makes the chord sound darker and more tense.
Why is the low E string muted in the 4th-fret shape?
The low E string is muted to keep C♯ as the bass note, not because E clashes. Letting it ring would change the voicing and weaken the root.
Can I play C♯ minor without a barre?
Yes, the C♯min/E inversion at the 1st fret uses no barre: ×-×-2-1-2-0. It is easier but has E in the bass instead of C♯.