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C-sharp Minor Chord
The C-sharp Minor Chord is C-sharp, E, and G-sharp: a black key, a white key, and a black key. The thumb and fifth finger both play black keys, so let's bring the hand in toward the fallboard enough that the middle finger reaches E without stretching. The sound is warm and dark, and it's the chord behind a lot of piano music in this key.
How to play the C-sharp Minor Chord on the piano
Let’s go through some charts that will familiarize you with the C-sharp Minor Chord and how to play it in the various forms you will encounter in pieces of music. First, we’ll look at the fundamental chord and its inversions; then, we’ll explore some more complex voicings.
The C-sharp Minor Chord in root position
In root position, the notes of the C♯ minor chord are stacked in thirds with C♯ on the bottom. The appearance on the staff is evenly spaced, as is the feeling of the space in between your fingers while playing.
| C-sharp Minor Chord in root position | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | C♯ E G♯ |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | C♯m |
The C-sharp Minor Chord in first inversion
In first inversion, the third of the chord (E) becomes the bottom note, and the root (C♯) jumps up to the top.
| C-sharp Minor Chord in 1st inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | E G♯ C♯ |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 2 5 |
| Chord Symbol | C♯m6 or C♯m/E |
The C-sharp Minor Chord in second inversion
In second inversion, the fifth of the chord (G♯) is on the bottom, and the third of the chord (E) goes to the top.
| C-sharp Minor Chord in 2nd inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | G♯ C♯ E |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 2 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | C♯m6/4 or C♯m/G♯ |
C-sharp Minor Chord theory and function
A minor chord has the lowered third, which gives it a quieter, darker color. In a major key the minor chords play supporting roles. In a minor key the minor tonic chord is home.
The C♯ minor chord is the supertonic (ii) in B major, the mediant (iii) in A major, and the submediant (vi) in E major. In minor keys, it is the tonic (i) in C♯ minor, the subdominant (iv) in G♯ minor, and the dominant (v) in F♯ minor. On the keyboard this is the same chord as D♭ minor, a spelling none of the common keys uses.
The place a student meets a minor chord most often is ii, leading to V and then home. In B major that is C♯m – F♯ – B. In C♯ minor the everyday pattern is i – iv – V – i: C♯m – F♯m – G♯ – C♯m, where the major V comes from the raised seventh. A minor chord is also the relative minor of the major chord a minor third above it, so a piece can move between the two and change color without leaving the key.
Other chords built on C-sharp
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