Inversions
The same notes with a different one at the bottom, listed from the lowest note up.
| Position | Notes, low to high | Symbol | Right hand | Left hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root position | C♯ E G♯ | C♯m | 1-3-5 | 5-3-1 |
| 1st inversion | E G♯ C♯ | C♯m/E | 1-2-5 | 5-3-1 |
| 2nd inversion | G♯ C♯ E | C♯m/G♯ | 1-3-5 | 5-2-1 |
About this chord
Its formula is 1 ♭3 5: the minor third (m3) and perfect fifth (P5) above the root, C♯.
Counted in semitones from C♯, its notes are 0, 3, 7.
A minor chord lowers the third of the major chord by a semitone, which gives it a darker, sadder sound. It is the home chord of every minor key.
On the piano it uses the same keys as D♭m (D♭ F♭ A♭). This page spells it C♯m, which reads more simply.
In major keys it is ii in B major, iii in A major and vi in E major.
In natural minor keys it is i in C♯ minor, iv in G♯ minor and v in F♯ minor.
In root position, play it with fingers 1-3-5 in the right hand, or 5-3-1 in the left hand (1 is the thumb, 5 the little finger).
Find the root first, place the other fingers over the coloured keys, then press them all together so every note sounds at the same time.
Questions and answers
What notes are in the C♯ minor chord?
The C♯m chord has three notes: C♯, E and G♯. Counted from the root, its formula is 1-♭3-5.
What is the fingering for the C♯m chord?
In root position, use fingers 1-3-5 of the right hand or 5-3-1 of the left hand. For the inversions: 1st inversion 1-2-5 (right hand) or 5-3-1 (left hand) and 2nd inversion 1-3-5 (right hand) or 5-2-1 (left hand).
Which keys contain the C♯m chord?
In major keys it is ii in B major, iii in A major and vi in E major. In natural minor keys it is i in C♯ minor, iv in G♯ minor and v in F♯ minor.
Practise it
In other keys
The chord list follows pianochord.io by Enkai Ji, used under the MIT licence. Licence