C sharp minor scale on piano
The C sharp minor scale on piano has 7 notes: C sharp, D sharp, E, F sharp, G sharp, A, and B (C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A, B). It uses 4 black keys: C♯, D♯, F♯, G♯. Standard fingering going up one octave: right hand 3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3; left hand 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3.
- C♯ C sharp 1
- D♯ D sharp 2
- E ♭3
- F♯ F sharp 4
- G♯ G sharp 5
- A ♭6
- B ♭7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (C♯) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the C sharp minor scale
| Note | C♯ | D♯ | E | F♯ | G♯ | A | B | C♯ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Left hand | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Two octaves: Right hand: 3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3 · Left hand: 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3
This is the standard fingering from piano method books (the same as in ABRSM exams), going up; to come down, retrace it. Practice each hand separately and slowly before putting them together. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- C♯
- W
- D♯
- H
- E
- W
- F♯
- W
- G♯
- H
- A
- W
- B
- W
- C♯
Degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7. Steps: W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the natural minor scale
The "pure" minor scale (Aeolian mode). Sad or introspective; it is the relative of the major scale a minor third above.
Harmonized scale (chords in the key)
The chords that come from the scale, stacking thirds from each note.
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Im | C♯m | C♯m7 | tonic |
| II° | D♯° | D♯m7(b5) | subdominant |
| III | E | E7M | tonic |
| IVm | F♯m | F♯m7 | subdominant |
| Vm | G♯m | G♯m7 | dominant |
| VI | A | A7M | subdominant |
| VII | B | B7 | dominant |
Arpeggios of these chords on piano
Scales with the same notes
Relative major: E major scale . Same notes, different center.
More C sharp scales
- Major (D♭)
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic (D♭)
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian (D♭)
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião) (D♭)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone (D♭)
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Natural minor in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the C sharp minor scale?
The notes of the C sharp minor scale are C sharp, D sharp, E, F sharp, G sharp, A, and B. It uses 4 black keys: C♯, D♯, F♯, G♯.
What is the fingering for the C sharp minor scale on piano?
Going up one octave: right hand 3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3 and left hand 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3. Over two octaves: right hand 3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-1-2-3 and left hand 3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3-2-1-4-3-2-1-3.
What is the formula of the C sharp minor scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · 5 · ♭6 · ♭7. In steps between notes: W – H – W – W – H – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
Which chords go with the C sharp minor scale?
The chords of the key are C♯m, D♯°, E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B. Tap each one to see it on the keyboard.