Also written C♯m7 or C♯min7
C♯ minor 7th contains C♯, E, G♯, and B. The default voicing uses open strings and a two-fret stretch, making it accessible but tricky to fret cleanly.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C♯ minor 7th is built from 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7. The minor 7th interval from C♯ to B gives the chord its smooth, unresolved quality. Compare with C♯ minor to hear the added seventh.
C♯ minor 7th is the vi chord in E major, as in I–V–vi–IV: E–B–C♯m–A. Use it for pop, rock, and ballads. It also fits C♯ natural minor and C♯ dorian scales.
The open voicing is the easiest and most resonant. For a higher register, try the 4-4-4-4 barre voicing, which places E in the bass.
C♯ minor 7th is played in open position as 1 1 0 2: index finger on the G string at fret 1, middle finger on the C string at fret 1 and ring finger on the A string at fret 2. The E string rings open.
Tip — The open E string must ring clearly while the index and middle fingers fret adjacent strings at the 1st fret.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 3 | B (♭7) |
C♯ minor 7th is played at the 4th fret as 4 4 4 4: barre your index finger across fret 4.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 (barre) | B (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 1 (barre) | E (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
C♯ minor 7th is played at the 6th fret as 6 8 7 7: index finger on the G string at fret 6, pinky finger on the C string at fret 8, middle finger on the E string at fret 7 and ring finger on the A string at fret 7.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 4 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 3 | E (♭3) |
C♯ minor 7th is played at the 9th fret as 9 11 9 11: index finger on the G string at fret 9, ring finger on the C string at fret 11, middle finger on the E string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 1 | E (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 3 | B (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 11 | 4 | G♯ (5) |
C♯ minor 7th is written C♯min7 or C♯m7. The ASCII root is C#, so you may see C#min7 or C#m7. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
C♯ minor 7th adds the note B to the C♯ minor triad. That B is the minor 7th interval, creating a softer, more complex sound.
Yes, the 4-4-4-4 voicing is a full barre at the 4th fret and is a common alternative.