Guitar chord · Intermediate (barre)
C sharp minor chord (C♯m) — guitar chord chart
C♯m is a minor chord built on C♯. Its notes are C♯, E, G♯. Lowering the 3rd by a half step gives minor chords their darker, more melancholic colour. It’s also written D♭m.
C♯m chord charts
Numbers = fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little). ○ open string, × don’t play. Low E string on the left.
How to play C♯m
- Lay your index finger flat across fret 4, from the 5th string to the 1st string (the barre).
- Ring (3) on the 4th string, fret 6 (A♭).
- Little finger (4) on the 3rd string, fret 6 (C♯).
- Middle (2) on the 2nd string, fret 5 (E).
- Strum from the 5th string down; don’t play string 6.
- Pick the strings one at a time: each note should ring clearly — if one buzzes, move that finger closer to the fret.
No barre yet? Put a capo on fret 4 and play the open Am shape — it sounds as C♯m. Work out other positions with the capo calculator.
Notes in C♯m
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C♯ | root |
| ♭3 | E | minor 3rd |
| 5 | G♯ | perfect 5th |
Progressions with C♯m
Drill these changes with the chord-change trainer and read how to change chords faster.
FAQ
- What notes are in the C♯m chord?
- C♯m (C sharp minor) has 3 notes: C♯, E, G♯.
- Is C♯m hard to play?
- It’s a barre chord, but with a capo on fret 4 you can use the open Am shape instead. Expect a few weeks of practice for a clean barre.
- What’s the difference between C♯m and C♯?
- C♯ is C♯ E♯ G♯. Lowering the 3rd by a half step gives minor chords their darker, more melancholic colour.
- Is C♯m the same as D♭m?
- Yes — they sound the same (enharmonic equivalents). Which name is used depends on the key of the song; the fingerings are identical.