C#m chord on guitar

C Sharp Minor, also written Dbm. Notes: C#, E and G#.

C#m guitar chord diagram, fret 1 position××4C#R2Eb31G#53C#RC#EG#C#
Fret 1 position · Medium

How to play C#m

  1. Put your index finger on the 3rd (G) string at fret 1 (G#).
  2. Put your middle finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 2 (E).
  3. Put your ring finger on the 2nd (B) string at fret 2 (C#).
  4. Put your pinky finger on the 5th (A) string at fret 4 (C#).
  5. Don't play the low E and high E strings: skip them or mute them with a fretting finger.
  6. Strum from the A string down.
Lowest note: C# (the root)Strings played: 4 of 6Other voicings: 3 below
Am shape×2E53AR1Cb3AEACE
Easier with a capo. Put a capo on fret 4 and play the Am shape. It sounds as C#m.

All 4 ways to play C#m

Easiest first. Tap play to hear each one.
C#m guitar chord, fret 1 position××4C#R2Eb31G#53C#RC#EG#C#

Fret 1 position

Medium
C#m guitar chord, barre at fret 44fr1G#51C#R3G#54C#R2Eb31G#5G#C#G#C#EG#

Barre at fret 4

Hard
C#m guitar chord, barre at fret 99fr1C#R3G#54C#R1Eb31G#51C#RC#G#C#EG#C#

Barre at fret 9

Hard
C#m guitar chord, barre at fret 66fr×3C#R2Eb31G#51C#R4C#RC#EG#C#C#

Barre at fret 6

Hard

Notes and theory

C#root
Eb3 · minor third
G#5 · perfect fifth

The minor triad swaps the major third for a minor third, which gives it a darker, sadder color. The formula is 1 b3 5, and you will also see it written as C#min and C#-.

Keys that use C#m

More C# chords

All C# guitar chords

C#m with another bass note

minor chords in every key

Questions

What notes are in the C#m chord?

C#m (C sharp minor) is made of three notes: C# (root), E (minor third) and G# (perfect fifth).

How do you play C#m on guitar?

The easiest C#m is the "fret 1 position" shape. Put your index finger on the 3rd (G) string at fret 1 (G#). Put your middle finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 2 (E). Put your ring finger on the 2nd (B) string at fret 2 (C#).

Is C#m hard to play on guitar?

No. The easiest version is rated medium and uses 4 fretted notes.

What is the difference between C#m and C#?

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#m in?

C#m belongs to 6 keys: E major (as the vi chord), A major (as the iii chord), B major (as the ii chord), C sharp minor (as the i chord), F sharp minor (as the v chord) and G sharp minor (as the iv chord).

What does a minor chord sound like?

The minor triad swaps the major third for a minor third, which gives it a darker, sadder color.