C#m/E chord on guitar

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

C#m/E guitar chord diagram, open position××2Eb31G#53C#REG#C#E
Open position · Easy

How to play C#m/E

  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. Let the open high E string ring.
  5. Don't play the low E and A strings: skip them or mute them with a fretting finger.
  6. Strum from the D string down.
Lowest note: E (the root)Strings played: 4 of 6Other voicings: 3 below

All 4 ways to play C#m/E

Easiest first. Tap play to hear each one.
C#m/E guitar chord, open position××2Eb31G#53C#REG#C#E

Open position

Easy
C#m/E guitar chord, barre at fret 66fr2Eb31G#51C#R4G#54C#REEG#C#G#C#

Barre at fret 6

Hard
C#m/E guitar chord, barre at fret 96fr2Eb31G#54Eb34G#54C#REEG#EG#C#

Barre at fret 9

Hard
C#m/E guitar chord, barre at fret 44fr1C#R3G#54C#R2Eb31G#5EC#G#C#EG#

Barre at fret 4

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/E

More C# chords

All C# guitar chords

C#m/E with another bass note

minor chords in every key

Questions

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

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

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

The easiest C#m/E 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/E 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/E 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/E in?

C#m/E 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.