C#m guitar chord
The C# minor chord: every way to play it on the neck, the notes in it, and the scales that sound good over it.
What's in C#m
- Notes
- C# – E – G#
- Formula
- 1 – b3 – 5
- Name
- C# minor
C#mC# · E · G#
2 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- A shape · 4th fret
- E shape · 9th fret
What to play over C#m
Start with the chord's own notes — C#, E, G# — and land on them on the strong beats. Then reach for a scale; which one depends on the chord's job in the song.
- C# minor pentatonic scale
The safe start, and the sound of most rock and blues solos.
- C# Dorian mode
A minor with a brighter 6th — when the chord is a ii.
- C# natural minor scale
The natural minor, when the chord is the song’s home chord (i).
- C# Phrygian mode
Dark and Spanish-sounding, with the ♭2 — when the chord is a iii.
Questions
What notes are in a C#m chord?
C#m has 3 notes: C#, E, G#. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – b3 – 5.
What scale goes with C#m?
C# minor pentatonic scale is the place to start. The safe start, and the sound of most rock and blues solos.