C sharp major chord (C#) on piano
The C sharp major chord (C#) on piano has 3 notes: C sharp, E sharp, and G sharp (C♯, E♯, G♯). With the right hand, use fingers 1-3-5; with the left hand, 5-3-1 (1 is the thumb). On the keyboard below, the root (C sharp) has the strongest color; each key shows the note name and the degree.
- Notes
- C♯E♯G♯
- Formula
- 135
How to play C# on piano
Root position · From low to high: C♯ E♯ G♯
Right hand: 1-3-5 Left hand: 5-3-1
Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger. The small dot marks middle C (C4). Tap a key to hear the note.
C# chord inversions
Inverting a chord means putting another of its notes in the bass (the lowest key) without changing the notes. Inversions shorten the way your hand travels from one chord to the next and slightly change the color of the sound.
-
1st inversion (C#/E#)
C#/E#: E sharp (3) in the bass
From low to high: E♯ G♯ C♯
Right hand: 1-2-5 Left hand: 5-3-1
-
2nd inversion (C#/G#)
C#/G#: G sharp (5) in the bass
From low to high: G♯ C♯ E♯
Right hand: 1-3-5 Left hand: 5-2-1
Notes and intervals of C#
C# (C sharp major) is built from 3 notes. Each one fills a degree of the chord:
- C♯ · 1 · root
- E♯ · 3 · major third
- G♯ · 5 · perfect fifth
About the major chord
A major chord sounds open, stable and "resolved". It is the backbone of pop, rock, country and folk: the three main chords of a major key (I, IV and V) are all major, and most songs end on one of them.
Other C sharp chords
- C#
- C#m
- C#7
- C#7M
- C#m7
- C#m7(b5)
- C#°
- C#°7
- C#+
- C#sus2
- C#sus4
- C#7sus4
- C#5
- C#add9
- C#6
- C#m6
- C#9
- C#m(add9)
- C#m9
- C#7M(9)
- C#m(7M)
- C#7M(#5)
- C#7(b9)
- C#6(9)
- C#m6(9)
- C#11
- C#m11
- C#13
- C#m13
- C#7(#9)
- C#7(#11)
- C#7(b13)
- C#7(#5)
- C#7M(#11)
- C#9sus4
Major: other roots
Chords that go with C#
In the key of C# (major), the chords that most often go with it are the IV, the V, the vi and the ii:
Arpeggio
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the C# chord on piano?
C# (C sharp major) has the notes C♯, E♯, G♯. The formula is 1 · 3 · 5: root, major third, perfect fifth.
How do you play C# on piano?
Find the C sharp key and add the other notes above it: C♯, E♯, G♯. Play them all together. With the right hand, use fingers 1-3-5; with the left hand, 5-3-1.
What are the inversions of C#?
1st inversion (C#/E#): E♯ G♯ C♯; 2nd inversion (C#/G#): G♯ C♯ E♯.
What does C# mean?
C# is the chord symbol for C sharp major. A major chord sounds open, stable and "resolved". It is the backbone of pop, rock, country and folk: the three main chords of a major key (I, IV and V) are all major, and most songs end on one of them.
Is the C# chord the same on piano and keyboard?
Yes. The notes and inversions are the same on any keyboard instrument: acoustic piano, digital piano, keyboard, organ or synthesizer.