Also written C♯, C♯maj or C♯M
C♯ major is built from C♯, E♯ and G♯. The default shape bars three strings at the first fret, so it demands a clean index finger.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C♯ major uses the formula 1, 3, 5, with a Major 3rd from C♯ to E♯ and a Perfect 5th from C♯ to G♯. The Major 3rd defines the major quality, and lowering it to E gives C♯ minor.
C♯ major is the tonic in C♯ major, so it starts progressions like C♯–F♯–G♯–C♯ (I–IV–V–I). It also appears in F♯ major and A♭ major, and suits bright, driving strumming.
The default voicing has C♯ in the bass, but the 10-8-9-8 shape puts G♯ in the bass for a second inversion. Use the ×-8-9-8 shape when you want a lighter, three-string sound.
C♯ major is played at the 1st fret as 1 1 1 4: barre your index finger across fret 1 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 4.
Tip — The index barre must fret three strings cleanly while the pinky reaches fret 4 on the A string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 (barre) | E♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
C♯ major is played at the 4th fret as 6 5 4 4: barre your index finger across fret 4, ring finger on the G string at fret 6 and middle finger on the C string at fret 5.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | E♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
C♯ major is played at the 8th fret as 10 8 9 8: pinky finger on the G string at fret 10, index finger on the C string at fret 8, ring finger on the E string at fret 9 and middle finger on the A string at fret 8.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 4 | E♯ (3) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 2 | E♯ (3) |
C♯ major is played at the 1st fret as 1 1 1 ×: barre your index finger across fret 1. The A string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 (barre) | E♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
C♯ major is played at the 8th fret as × 8 9 8: index finger on the C string at fret 8, ring finger on the E string at fret 9 and middle finger on the A string at fret 8. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 2 | E♯ (3) |
C♯ major is written as C♯, C♯maj, or C♯M. On a keyboard, type C# because the sharp sign is not available. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
E♯ is the correct spelling because the third of C♯ must be a letter name above C♯. F would be a fourth, so E♯ keeps the interval a Major 3rd.
The ×-8-9-8 shape skips the barre and uses only three strings, but it omits the root in the bass. It is easier for quick changes.