Also written C7♯5, C or C Dominant 7th ♯5
C 7th sharp 5 is built from C, E, G♯ and B♭. The 1-0-0-1 grip uses two open strings and a first-fret stretch, while the 3-4-4-3 shape is a compact barre-free alternative.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C 7th sharp 5 uses the formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7: C, E, G♯, B♭. The sharp fifth G♯ gives the chord its biting, augmented-dominant colour. Compare it with C 7th, which has a natural fifth G.
C 7th sharp 5 is a tense dominant in C major, often resolving to C major or C 7th. It suits jazz, blues, and funk when you need an edgy, unresolved colour.
The 1-0-0-1 voicing puts G♯ in the bass for a sharp, cutting inversion. The 3-4-4-3 shape places B♭ in the bass and is easier to grab quickly, though it sounds less grounded.
C 7th sharp 5 is played in open position as 1 0 0 1: index finger on the G string at fret 1 and middle finger on the A string at fret 1. The C and E strings ring open.
Tip — The index and middle fingers must fret the outer strings at fret 1 without touching the open C and E strings between them.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (1) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (3) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 2 | B♭ (♭7) |
C 7th sharp 5 is played at the 3rd fret as 3 4 4 3: index finger on the G string at fret 3, ring finger on the C string at fret 4, pinky finger on the E string at fret 4 and middle finger on the A string at fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 1 | B♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 3 | E (3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 4 | G♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (1) |
C 7th sharp 5 is written C7♯5 or C7+5. The symbol C is also used, and the alternate name is Dominant 7th ♯5.
C 7th sharp 5 adds a flat seventh B♭ to the augmented triad C–E–G♯. C augmented has no seventh, so it sounds more static.
The raised fifth G♯ is a semitone above the perfect fifth, creating a dissonant augmented interval against the root. The flat seventh adds further instability.