C Sharp Minor: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of C sharp minor

The key of C sharp minor has 4 sharps in the key signature (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯). Its scale is C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B and its seven chords are C♯m, D♯dim, E, F♯m, G♯m, A and B. The most common progression is C♯m – A – E – B. Its relative key is E major. With a capo on fret 4, you can play it with the shapes of A minor.

The chords in the key

C♯m is home and F♯m darkens it. The natural fifth chord, G♯m, resolves softly; swap it for G♯7 and it pulls hard towards C♯m. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
i	C♯m	C♯ – E – G♯	Tonic: home	C♯m7
ii°	D♯dim	D♯ – F♯ – A	Subdominant	—
III	E	E – G♯ – B	Relative major	Emaj7
iv	F♯m	F♯ – A – C♯	Subdominant	F♯m7
v	G♯m	G♯ – B – D♯	Minor dominant	G♯m7
VI	A	A – C♯ – E	Subdominant (epic colour)	Amaj7
VII	B	B – D♯ – F♯	Subtonic	B7

Scale

C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B

With a capo

To make a song sound in C sharp minor with easy open shapes:

Capo on fret 4: play the shapes of A minor

Common progressions

Loop them in the chord player and use them as the base of a song.

C♯m – A – E – B i – bVI – bIII – bVII Play in the chord player
C♯m – F♯m – G♯m – C♯m i – iv – v – i Play in the chord player
C♯m – B – A – G♯ i – bVII – bVI – V Play in the chord player
C♯m – F♯m – G♯7 – C♯m i – iv – V7 – i Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of C sharp minor?

Its seven chords are C♯m, D♯dim, E, F♯m, G♯m, A and B.

How many sharps or flats does C sharp minor have?

It has 4 sharps in the key signature (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯).

What is the relative key of C sharp minor?

Its relative key is E major: they share the same notes and chords.