Chords in the key of C sharp minor
The key of C sharp minor (natural minor) has the notes C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A, and B and the chords C♯m, D♯°, E, F♯m, G♯m, A, and B. In practice the V and vii° come from the harmonic minor scale, with the leading tone B♯: G♯ (G♯7) and B♯°. Key signature: 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯). Relative major: E major.
- C♯
- D♯
- E
- F♯
- G♯
- A
- B
Natural minor
The scale of the key signature. Fine for melodies, but the v is minor (G♯m) and barely pulls back to the tonic.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | C♯m | C♯m7 | tonic |
| ii° | D♯° | D♯m7(♭5) | subdominant |
| III | E | E7M | tonic |
| iv | F♯m | F♯m7 | subdominant |
| v | G♯m | G♯m7 | dominant |
| VI | A | A7M | subdominant |
| VII | B | B7 | dominant |
Each chord in the table opens its guitar page, with the diagram and the sound.
Harmonic minor (the V7 and vii°)
The 7th note is raised a half step (B♯): the V becomes major (G♯, or G♯7 with the seventh) and the vii becomes diminished (B♯°). These are the chords minor-key songs use to get back to the tonic.
Melodic minor
The 6th and 7th are raised a half step: the ii becomes minor (D♯m) and the IV becomes major (F♯). Common in jazz and in rising melodies.
The chords of C sharp minor on the piano
What each chord does
Tonic (C♯m and E) feels at rest; subdominant (D♯°, F♯m, and A) moves away from home; dominant (G♯ and B♯°) builds tension and wants to go back to C♯m.
Common progressions in C sharp minor
Listen to each one and open it in the backing track to play along.
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Andalusian cadence
i–VII–VI–VA dramatic descent from flamenco, widely used in rock and Latin music.
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Basic minor
i–iv–V7Im–IVm–V7: the essentials of a minor key; the V7 brings the tension of the harmonic minor scale.
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IIm7(♭5)–V7–Im
iiø7–V7–i7The jazz and bolero cadence in a minor key.
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Epic minor pop
i–VI–III–VIIIm–♭VI–♭III–♭VII: a grand chorus in a minor key.
Relative and parallel keys
Relative major: E major. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯)).
Parallel key: D flat major, with the same tonic and the other mode. Switching between them mid-song changes the mood without moving the home note.
Neighbours on the circle of fifths: F sharp minor (a fifth below) and G sharp minor (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.
Circle of fifths
C sharp minor is highlighted. Clockwise, each step goes up a fifth and adds a sharp; counter-clockwise, a flat. The relative minors are on the inside. Tap a key to see its chords.
Scales and tools for C sharp minor
Chords in other keys
Major keys
Minor keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of C sharp minor?
C♯m, D♯°, E, F♯m, G♯m, A, and B. As seventh chords: C♯m7, D♯m7(♭5), E7M, F♯m7, G♯m7, A7M, and B7.
What is the relative of C sharp minor?
E major. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯).
What is the key signature of C sharp minor?
C sharp minor has 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯) in its key signature.
Why is the V chord major in C sharp minor?
In the natural minor scale the v chord is minor (G♯m) and barely pulls to the tonic. Raising the 7th note a half step (B♯, the leading tone) gives the harmonic minor scale, and the V becomes G♯ (G♯7), which resolves strongly to C♯m.
What chord progressions work in C sharp minor?
The most common: i–VII–VI–V: C♯m B A G♯; i–iv–V7: C♯m F♯m G♯7; iiø7–V7–i7: D♯m7(♭5) G♯7 C♯m7; i–VI–III–VII: C♯m A E B.