Piano chord
C♯mC sharp minor
- C♯1
- E♭3
- G♯5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 7semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-5
How to play C♯m on piano
- Find C♯: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on C♯, 3 on E, 5 on G♯.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on C♯, 3 on E, 1 on G♯.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · C♯ – E – G♯
1st inversion · E – G♯ – C♯
2nd inversion · G♯ – C♯ – E
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
C♯m inversions
Here are all 3 positions of C♯m. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has C♯ at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.
- Root positionbass: C♯Right hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 1st inversionbass: ERight hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 2nd inversionbass: G♯Right hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
Chords that go with C♯m
The other chords of C sharp minor, the key where C♯m is home (i). Songs in this key move between them.
C♯m with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays C♯ an octave lower, the right hand plays C♯–E–G♯.
C♯m on other instruments
About the C♯m chord
The 3 notes of C sharp minor are C♯ (1), E (♭3), G♯ (5). A minor triad: the third is lowered by a semitone, which gives it the darker, softer sound. Move the middle key one key down from the major chord and you have it.
Put your thumb on C♯ and count up: C♯ – E – G♯. The whole chord spans 7 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers C♯m without stretching.
The inversions of C♯m keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is E (E–G♯–C♯). In the 2nd inversion the bass is G♯ (G♯–C♯–E).
Take B out of C♯m7 and you get C♯m.
C♯m belongs to A major (iii), E major (vi), B major (ii), F sharp minor (v), C sharp minor (i).
Questions
What notes are in the C♯m chord?
C♯m (C sharp minor) has 3 notes: C♯ (1), E (♭3), G♯ (5).
How many inversions does C♯m have?
C♯m can be played in 3 positions: Root position (C♯–E–G♯); 1st inversion (E–G♯–C♯); 2nd inversion (G♯–C♯–E).
What is the difference between C♯m and C♯m7?
Take B out of C♯m7 and you get C♯m.
Can I play C♯m with one hand?
Yes. In root position C♯m spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.