FretWijzer.nl
Menu
← All keys

C♯ minor (C♯m) on guitar

The C♯ minor scale consists of the notes C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B and has 4 sharps. Below you can see every usable note on the neck up to fret 15.

C♯ minorNatural minor scale

♪ Click a note on the fretboard to hear its sound.

E
B
G
D
A
E
0123•45•67•89•101112••131415•
Root noteOther notes
Click a note to hear it · frets 0–15

Chords in C♯ minor

Common progression: C♯m – A – E – B (i–VI–III–VII).

Quick overview

Root note
C♯
Mode
minor
Key signature
4 sharps
Pentatonic
C♯ E F♯ G♯ B
Relative key
E major

Well-known songs in C♯ minor

  • All Along the WatchtowerThe Jimi Hendrix Experience
  • Counting StarsOneRepublic
  • Gimme ShelterThe Rolling Stones
  • Isn't She LovelyStevie Wonder
  • JoleneDolly Parton
  • Message in a BottleThe Police
  • Shape of YouEd Sheeran

Key of the original recording; live versions or covers may differ.

CAGED positions

With the CAGED system you play C♯m in five positions across the whole neck. Each shape connects to the next.

  • Cm shapearound fret 1 · root on A string, fret 4
  • Am shapearound fret 4 · root on A string, fret 4
  • Gm shapearound fret 6 · root on low E string, fret 9
  • Em shapearound fret 9 · root on low E string, fret 9
  • Dm shapearound fret 11 · root on D string, fret 11

Learn C♯ minor in 5 steps

  1. Step 1

    Find the root note C♯

    Find C♯ on the low E string (fret 9) and on the A string (fret 4). Play them alternately and say the name out loud. Every pattern below hangs off these two points.

  2. Step 2

    Play the main chords

    Learn the three most important chords: C♯m (i), F♯m (iv) and G♯m (v). Switch between them at a slow tempo until you can play through without stopping.

  3. Step 3

    Learn the pentatonic in box 1

    The minor pentatonic (C♯ E F♯ G♯ B) is the first pattern to learn. Put your index finger around fret 9 and play two notes per string, from the low E to the high e and back.

  4. Step 4

    Extend to the full scale

    Add the two missing notes (D♯ and A) in the same position. Now you're playing all seven notes of Cis mineur: C♯ D♯ E F♯ G♯ A B.

  5. Step 5

    Improvise over a chord progression

    Record C♯m – A – B – C♯m (or ask someone to play it) and solo over it using box 1. End your phrases on C♯ and listen to how that "coming home" sounds.

Playing C♯ minor with a capo

Go to the capo guide

Solo tips for C♯ minor

  1. Start with the minor pentatonic scale (C♯ E F♯ G♯ B). The best-known "box" pattern starts on the root C♯ on the low E string, fret 9.
  2. End your phrases on the root C♯ for a resolved feeling, or on the third E and fifth G♯ for tension.
  3. Add the blue note G as a passing note for a bluesy sound — don't linger on it too long.
  4. Over the G♯m chord (the v) deliberately play the notes of that chord to make the chord changes audible.
  5. Want a more classical, "Spanish" sound? Raise the 7th degree to B♯ (harmonic minor), especially over the V chord.

Frequently asked questions about C♯ minor

Which notes are in Cis mineur?

Cis mineur (C♯m) consists of the notes C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A, B. The key signature has 4 sharps.

Which chords fit Cis mineur?

The diatonic chords in Cis mineur are C♯m, D♯dim, E, F♯m, G♯m, A, B. You can freely combine them; they all sound good within the key.

What is the relative key of Cis mineur?

The relative key is E major. It uses exactly the same notes and key signature, just with a different tonal centre.

Which pentatonic scale do you use in Cis mineur?

Use the minor pentatonic scale: C♯, E, F♯, G♯, B. It avoids the "tricky" half-step intervals and almost always sounds good.

How do I find C♯ on the guitar neck?

You'll find the root C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 and on the A string at fret 4, among other places.