C# chord on guitar
C Sharp Major, also written Db. Notes: C#, F and G#.
How to play C#
- Lay your index finger flat across the 3rd (G) to the 1st (high E) string at fret 1. This is the barre.
- Put your middle finger on the 2nd (B) string at fret 2 (C#).
- Put your ring finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 3 (F).
- Put your pinky finger on the 5th (A) string at fret 4 (C#).
- Don't play the low E string: skip it or mute it with a fretting finger.
- Strum from the A string down.
All 4 ways to play C#
Easiest first. Tap play to hear each one.Barre at fret 1
HardBarre at fret 4
HardBarre at fret 6
HardBarre at fret 9
HardNotes and theory
The major triad is the bright, settled chord that most songs start and end on. The formula is 1 3 5, and you will also see it written as C#maj and C#M. Strictly by music theory the notes are spelled C#, E# and G#; E# is the same key as F.
Keys that use C#
More C# chords
All C# guitar chordsC# with another bass note
major chords in every key
Questions
What notes are in the C# chord?
C# (C sharp major) is made of three notes: C# (root), F (major third) and G# (perfect fifth).
How do you play C# on guitar?
The easiest C# is the "barre at fret 1" shape. Lay your index finger flat across the 3rd (G) to the 1st (high E) string at fret 1. This is the barre. Put your middle finger on the 2nd (B) string at fret 2 (C#). Put your ring finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 3 (F).
Is C# hard to play on guitar?
C# has no open-string shape, so every version needs a barre or a stretch. The easiest one is rated hard. A shortcut: put a capo on fret 1 and play the open C shape, which sounds as C#.
What is the difference between C# and C#m?
Only the third changes. C# major uses a major third and sounds bright; C# minor lowers that note by a half step, which makes it sound darker. The root and the fifth stay the same.
What key is C# in?
C# belongs to 6 keys: D flat major (as the I chord), F sharp major (as the V chord), A flat major (as the IV chord), E flat minor (as the VII chord), F minor (as the VI chord) and B flat minor (as the III chord).
What does a major chord sound like?
The major triad is the bright, settled chord that most songs start and end on.