Also written C♯m or C♯min
C♯ minor contains C♯, E, and G♯. The default voicing uses two fretted notes and an open E string, making it a beginner-friendly shape.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C♯ minor is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5. The minor 3rd between C♯ and E gives the chord its somber quality. Raise that E to E♯ and you get C♯ major.
C♯ minor is the vi chord in E major, so it appears in the I–V–vi–IV progression: E–B–C♯m–A. It also works as the i chord in C♯ natural minor, fitting rock and pop. Try it with E major and A major.
The default Open voicing has C♯ in the bass, which gives a root-position sound. For a higher voicing, use the C♯min/E inversion at 1-4-4-4 with E in the bass.
C♯ minor is played in open position as 1 1 0 4: 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 4. The E string rings open.
Tip — The ring finger must reach the 4th fret on the A string while the index and middle fingers hold 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) | 4 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
C♯ minor is played at the 1st fret as 1 4 4 4: index finger on the G string at fret 1, middle finger on the C string at fret 4, ring finger on the E string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 4.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 2 | E (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 3 | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
C♯ minor is played at the 4th fret as 6 4 4 4: barre your index finger across fret 4 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 6.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 1 (barre) | E (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (5) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (1) |
C♯ minor is played at the 7th fret as 9 8 9 7: ring finger on the G string at fret 9, middle finger on the C string at fret 8, pinky finger on the E string at fret 9 and index finger on the A string at fret 7.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 3 | E (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 2 | G♯ (5) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 4 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 1 | E (♭3) |
C♯ minor is played in open position as 1 4 0 4: index finger on the G string at fret 1, middle finger on the C string at fret 4 and ring finger on the A string at fret 4. The E string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (5) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 2 | E (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
C♯ minor is written as C♯m, C♯min, C♯−, or C♯mi. On a keyboard, type C# minor. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
The open E is the minor 3rd of C♯ minor, so it is a chord tone. It adds brightness without clashing.
Yes, the C♯min/E inversion at 6-4-4-4 uses a barre across the 4th fret. That voicing puts E in the bass and sounds fuller.