Chords in the Key of C♯ minor
C♯ minor has 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯). Its seven chords are C♯m, D♯°, E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B, and the major G♯ (from the harmonic minor) is often used as the V chord. The relative major is E major.
Click any chord to hear it, play the progressions or download them as MIDI. Click the circle to compare other keys.
C♯ minor scale
C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B. Key signature: 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯).
All chords in C♯ minor
| Degree | Triad | Notes | 7th chord | Notes | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | C♯m | C♯ – E – G♯ | C♯m7 | C♯ – E – G♯ – B | tonic (home) |
| ii° | D♯° | D♯ – F♯ – A | D♯m7♭5 | D♯ – F♯ – A – C♯ | subdominant |
| III | E | E – G♯ – B | Emaj7 | E – G♯ – B – D♯ | relative major |
| iv | F♯m | F♯ – A – C♯ | F♯m7 | F♯ – A – C♯ – E | subdominant |
| v | G♯m | G♯ – B – D♯ | G♯m7 | G♯ – B – D♯ – F♯ | dominant (minor) |
| VI | A | A – C♯ – E | Amaj7 | A – C♯ – E – G♯ | submediant |
| VII | B | B – D♯ – F♯ | B7 | B – D♯ – F♯ – A | subtonic |
In minor keys the v chord (G♯m) is often replaced by a major V (G♯: G♯ – B♯ – D♯). It borrows the raised 7th (B♯) from the harmonic minor scale and pulls strongly back to C♯m.
Common chord progressions in C♯ minor
| Numerals | Chords in C♯ minor |
|---|---|
| i – VI – III – VII | C♯m – A – E – B |
| i – VII – VI – VII | C♯m – B – A – B |
| i – iv – VI – V | C♯m – F♯m – A – G♯ |
| i – iv – v – i | C♯m – F♯m – G♯m – C♯m |
Play them in the circle above, or get progressions from real songs in the chord progressions by genre tool.
Related keys
- Relative major: E major (same notes, different home chord).
- Parallel major: D♭ major (same root; borrow chords from it for colour).
- Neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths: F♯ minor and G♯ minor, one accidental away, for smooth key changes.
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Quick answers
What chords are in the key of C♯ minor?
The chords in C♯ minor are C♯m, D♯°, E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B, plus G♯ as a major V chord. As 7th chords: C♯m7, D♯m7♭5, Emaj7, F♯m7, G♯m7, Amaj7, B7.
How many sharps are in C♯ minor?
C♯ minor has 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯).
What is the relative major of C♯ minor?
E major. Both keys use the same notes and key signature (4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯)).
What is the v chord in C♯ minor?
The natural v chord is G♯m (G♯ – B – D♯); most songs use the major V, G♯ (G♯ – B♯ – D♯).