Explore chords · Ukulele
C♯ 5th chord on ukulele (C♯5)
Also called or written C♯5, C♯ or C♯ power chord
C♯ 5th contains C♯ and G♯. This power chord at the 6th fret requires muting two strings, a typical intermediate challenge.
How it is built
Formula 1, 5
How do you play a C♯ 5th chord on ukulele?
C♯ 5th is played at the 6th fret as 6 8 × ×: index finger on the G string at fret 6 and middle finger on the C string at fret 8. The E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 2 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
IntermediateThe index and middle fingers must fret cleanly while both remaining strings are muted, requiring precise finger placement.
9th fret
C♯ 5th is played at the 9th fret as × × 9 11: index finger on the E string at fret 9 and middle finger on the A string at fret 11. The G and C strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 11 | 2 | G♯ (5) |
1st fret
C♯ 5th is played at the 1st fret as 1 1 × ×: index finger on the G string at fret 1 and middle finger on the C string at fret 1. The E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
C♯5/G♯ inversion · fret 4
C♯ 5th is played at the 4th fret as × × 4 4: index finger on the E string at fret 4 and middle finger on the A string at fret 4. The G and C strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
C♯5/G♯ inversion · fret 8
C♯ 5th is played at the 8th fret as × 8 9 ×: index finger on the C string at fret 8 and middle finger on the E string at fret 9. The G and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ 5th is built from the formula 1, 5, using the root C♯ and its perfect fifth G♯. The perfect fifth gives the chord its strong, hollow sound. Compare C♯ 5th with C♯ major, which adds the major third E♯.
What goes wrong with C♯ 5th?
- Letting the E or A string ring open because the muting finger is not touching it.
- Pressing the G string too hard and pulling it sharp.
- Flattening the middle finger onto the E string and accidentally fretting it.
When to use it
C♯ 5th functions as a power chord in C♯ major progressions like C♯–F♯–G♯, the I–IV–V in C♯ major. C♯ 5th suits rock and metal where a neutral fifth sound is preferred.
Changing to and from C♯ 5th
- Move from C♯ 5th to F♯ major by lifting the middle finger and placing it on the C string 6th fret while the index stays on the G string 6th fret.
- Slide C♯ 5th up one fret to D 5th by moving both fingers together from the 6th fret to the 7th fret.
Which voicing to use
The 6th fret position keeps C♯ in the bass for a grounded sound. The C♯5/G♯ inversions put G♯ in the bass, which lightens the chord and works well when moving to F♯ major or A♯ minor.
Other C♯ chords
Common questions
How is C♯ 5th written?
C♯ 5th is written as C♯5 or C♯. On a keyboard you may see C#5 because the sharp symbol is not always available. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Why does C♯ 5th sound different from C♯ major?
C♯ 5th omits the major third E♯, leaving only the root and fifth. Without the third the chord has no major or minor quality, which lets it fit both C♯ major and C♯ minor contexts.
Can I play C♯ 5th higher up the neck?
Yes, the 9th fret position plays C♯ and G♯ on the E and A strings. That register is brighter and cuts through a mix, but you lose the low G string warmth.