C#m/A chord on guitar
C Sharp Minor Over A, also written Dbm/A. Notes: C#, E and G#.
How to play C#m/A
- 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#).
- Let the open A and high E strings ring.
- 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#m/A
Easiest first. Tap play to hear each one.Open position
EasyFret 4 position
EasyFret 4 position
MediumBarre at fret 9
HardNotes and theory
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/A
More C# chords
All C# guitar chordsC#m/A with another bass note
minor chords in every key
Questions
What notes are in the C#m/A chord?
C#m/A (C sharp minor over A) is made of three notes: C# (root), E (minor third) and G# (perfect fifth). The slash means A is played as the lowest note.
How do you play C#m/A on guitar?
The easiest C#m/A is the "open 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/A hard to play on guitar?
No. The easiest version is rated easy and uses 3 fretted notes plus open strings.
What is the difference between C#m/A 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/A in?
C#m/A 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.