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