Explore chords · Ukulele
C♯ chord on ukulele (C♯ major)
Also called or written C♯, C♯maj, C♯M or C♯ chord
C♯ major contains C♯, E♯ and G♯. The 4th fret shape is an intermediate grip that uses all four fingers in a compact cluster.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5
How do you play a C♯ major chord on ukulele?
C♯ major is played at the 4th fret as 6 5 4 4: pinky finger on the G string at fret 6, ring finger on the C string at fret 5, index finger on the E string at fret 4 and middle finger on the A string at fret 4.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 3 | E♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
IntermediateThe 4th fret shape requires all four fingers to fret adjacent strings without muting each other.
C♯/G♯ inversion · 10-8-9-8
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
1st fret
C♯ major is played at the 1st fret as 1 1 1 ×: barre your index finger across fret 1. The A string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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♯/G♯ inversion · ×-8-9-8
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ major is built from the root, major third and perfect fifth — 1, 3, 5. The major third E♯ gives the chord its bright quality. Lower that third by one semitone to E and you get C♯ minor.
What goes wrong with C♯ major?
- Letting the pinky collapse and mute the C string.
- Not pressing the A string firmly enough, causing a buzz.
- Hitting the open G string when moving from another chord.
When to use it
C♯ major is the tonic in C♯ major, heard in progressions like C♯–F♯–G♯, the I–IV–V–I. It also fits the I–V–vi–IV in C♯ major: C♯–G♯–A♯ minor–F♯. Use it for songs in sharp keys and for modulating from C major. Compare C♯ 5th for a leaner two-note sound.
Changing to and from C♯ major
- Move to D major by shifting the whole shape up one fret, keeping the same finger pattern.
- Slide the 4th fret shape down two frets to the 2nd fret to reach B major.
Which voicing to use
The 4th fret shape is the default, but the C♯/A♭ inversion is easier for some players because it uses only three strings. The C♯/F inversion puts the third in the bass for a smoother voice leading into F♯ major.
Other C♯ chords
Common questions
How is C♯ major written?
C♯ major is written as C♯, C♯maj or C♯M. The ASCII root is C#. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between C♯ major and C♯ minor?
C♯ major has a major third, E♯, while C♯ minor has a minor third, E. This changes the chord from bright to sombre.
Why is the 4th fret shape considered intermediate?
The 4th fret shape requires all four fingers to fret adjacent strings without muting each other, which is challenging for beginners.