C# Minor Chord
The C# minor chord uses C sharp, E and G sharp. Press those notes together and you have C#m. Keep the root and fifth, then change only the middle note to hear how a minor chord differs from a major one.
- Notes: C sharp-E-G sharp
- Symbol: C#m
- Three positions
Where are the notes?
C sharp and G sharp are black keys with white E between them. E sharp, played on the F key, would make the parallel C-sharp-major chord.
C sharp is the root. E is three semitones above it, a minor third. G sharp is seven semitones above the root. If the written chord symbol has a small m, such as C#m, the third is the note you should check first. Minor Chord gives the general formula.
How do the inversions work?
- Root position: C sharp-E-G sharp, with C sharp lowest.
- First inversion: E-G sharp-C sharp, with E lowest.
- Second inversion: G sharp-C sharp-E, with G sharp lowest.
When E is the lowest note in the whole arrangement, write C#m/E. With G sharp in the bass, write C#m/G#. An inversion changes the register and bass line, while the note set stays C sharp-E-G sharp.
Where does C#m fit?
C sharp minor is the home triad in C sharp natural minor. It is also the sixth chord in E major. In that major key, the same notes have a different role because the melody and surrounding chords point elsewhere.
Try C#m-F#m-G#m-C#m. These four chords come from the C sharp natural-minor scale. The final C#m repeats the first chord, so listen for the return after the middle two. If you later replace the chord on scale degree 5 with its major form, you will introduce a raised seventh from harmonic minor.
What changes in C# major?
Raise E to E sharp; keep C sharp and G sharp. You get C sharp-E sharp-G sharp. Play both chords at the same volume, then alternate their thirds alone. The single changed key is the reliable distinction, even when tempo or instrument color changes.
A short practice loop
Play C sharp-E-G sharp together, then E-G sharp-C sharp. Name the new lowest note before pressing "Hear" again. Return to root position, change E to E sharp, and say whether the result is major or minor.