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Learn › C Sharp Minor Chord on Piano (C#m)

New Released in April 2026

C Sharp Minor Chord on Piano (C#m)

C sharp minor (C#m) is a minor chord with the notes C# - E - G#. It lives in the key of E major. On the keys: black key on the root and the fifth (C#, G#), white keys for the rest. Learn the shape, the inversions and the fingering, then practise it by playing.

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C#m C# E G#

C#m inversions on the keyboard

Whichever note is lowest, it is still C#m.

C#m C# E G#

Root position: C# E G#

C#m E G# C#

1st inversion: E G# C#

C#m G# C# E

2nd inversion: G# C# E

How to play C#m on the piano

HandC#EG#
Right hand1 (thumb)3 (middle)5 (little)
Left hand5 (little)3 (middle)1 (thumb)

Play C#m broken first, C#, E, G# one at a time, then all together: hearing each note makes a wrong key obvious.

C# minor: all 7 chords

Pick any two of these and they will sound right next to C#m.

DegreeChordNotes
i C#m C# E G#
ii° Ebdim Eb Gb Bbb
III E E G# B
iv F#m F# A C#
v Abm Ab Cb Eb
VI A A C# E
VII B B D# F#

Quick facts about C#m

Keyboard shape

Black key on the root and the fifth (c#, g#), white keys for the rest.

Key signature

C#m is the relative minor of E major: 4 sharps.

Tension and release

Ab7 (Ab C Eb Gb) pulls straight into C#m.

Other name

Sheet music sometimes calls the root Db instead of C#: same key on the piano, same minor chord.

Where C#m shows up

You will meet C#m in these major keys:

  • vi in E major
  • ii in B major
  • iii in A major

Relative major: E · Parallel major: C#

Many songs use this order from C#m (i - VI - III - VII): C#m → A → E → B. Move between inversions so the hand barely moves.

ChordRunner showing a chord block while hands play the piano

Train C#m in a game

Knowing C#m on paper is step one. ChordRunner makes you find it fast, mixed with other chords. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.

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All piano chords · Piano chord chart

Common questions

What are the notes of C#m?

C#, E and G#. Start on C#, add the minor third E, then the fifth G#.

What fingers do I use for C#m?

Fingers 1, 3 and 5 in the right hand (thumb on C#), and 5, 3, 1 in the left hand (little finger on C#).

What is the relative major of C sharp minor?

E. Both share the same key signature, and the two chords share two notes.

Your instrument is the controller.

ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.

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