C#m/C chord on guitar

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

C#m/C guitar chord diagram, open position×4Cbass2Eb31G#53C#RCEG#C#E
Open position · Easy

How to play C#m/C

  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 3 (C).
  5. Let the open high E string ring.
  6. Don't play the low E string: skip it or mute it with a fretting finger.
  7. Strum from the A string down.
Lowest note: C (the root)Strings played: 5 of 6Other voicings: 3 below

All 4 ways to play C#m/C

Easiest first. Tap play to hear each one.
C#m/C guitar chord, open position×4Cbass2Eb31G#53C#RCEG#C#E

Open position

Easy
C#m/C guitar chord, barre at fret 99fr××2Cbass1Eb31G#51C#RCEG#C#

Barre at fret 9

Hard
C#m/C guitar chord, barre at fret 66fr3Cbass2Eb31G#51C#R4G#54C#RCEG#C#G#C#

Barre at fret 6

Hard
C#m/C guitar chord, barre at fret 96fr3Cbass2Eb31G#54Eb34G#54C#RCEG#EG#C#

Barre at fret 9

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/C

More C# chords

All C# guitar chords

C#m/C with another bass note

minor chords in every key

Questions

What notes are in the C#m/C chord?

C#m/C (C sharp minor over C) is made of three notes: C# (root), E (minor third) and G# (perfect fifth). The slash means C is played as the lowest note.

How do you play C#m/C on guitar?

The easiest C#m/C 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/C hard to play on guitar?

No. The easiest version is rated easy and uses 4 fretted notes plus open strings.

What is the difference between C#m/C 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/C in?

C#m/C 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.