A/C# on guitar: A with C sharp in the bass
A/C# is the A major chord (A, C♯, E) with its 3rd, C♯, as the lowest note: the 1st inversion of A. The notes are the same as in A; only the one at the bottom changes.
- Notes
- AC♯E
- Bass
- C♯ 3rd of the chord
How to play A/C# on guitar
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Shape 1 · 1st position
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Shape 2 · fret 2 · barre
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Shape 3 · fret 4 · barre
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Shape 4 · fret 7
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Shape 5 · fret 9
Where A/C# shows up
With the 3rd in the bass, the bass line can move by step. The classic case: D → A/C# → Bm, with the bass walking down D, C♯, B.
Other positions of A
Frequently asked questions
What does A/C# mean?
A/C# reads "A over C♯": you play A and the lowest note is C♯. In a chord symbol, whatever comes after the slash is always the bass.
What is the difference between A/C# and A?
The notes are the same (A, C♯, E); only the lowest one changes. With C♯ in the bass, A is in 1st inversion, and the bass line can move by step between chords.
How do you play A/C# on guitar?
The shapes on this page go from easiest to hardest. In all of them C♯ is the lowest note; the low strings that would sound below it are not played (x).