Chords in the Key of C♯ Minor (C#)
The key of C# minor is built on the notes C# – D# – E – F# – G# – A – B. Every chord below is drawn from that scale, so they all sound at home together.
The seven chords in C# minor
| Numeral | Chord | Notes | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | C#m | C# E G# | Minor |
| ii° | D#dim | D# F# A | Diminished |
| III | E | E G# B | Major |
| iv | F#m | F# A C# | Minor |
| v | G#m | G# B D# | Minor |
| VI | A | A C# E | Major |
| VII | B | B D# F# | Major |
Seventh chords in C# minor
Adding the next third on top of each triad gives the seventh chords of the key — the harmonic vocabulary most jazz and soul writing starts from.
| Numeral | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i7 | C#m7 | C# E G# B |
| iiø7 | D#m7b5 | D# F# A C# |
| IIImaj7 | Emaj7 | E G# B D# |
| iv7 | F#m7 | F# A C# E |
| v7 | G#m7 | G# B D# F# |
| VImaj7 | Amaj7 | A C# E G# |
| VII7 | B7 | B D# F# A |
Common chord progressions in C# minor
| Numerals | Chords in C# minor | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| i – VI – III – VII | C#m – A – E – B | A bright, anthemic minor progression. |
| i – iv – v | C#m – F#m – G#m | The natural-minor equivalent of the classic cadence. |
| i – VII – VI – VII | C#m – B – A – B | A modal, folk-leaning loop. |
| i – iv – VII – III | C#m – F#m – B – E | Moves toward the relative major for a lift. |
Relative major key
C# minor shares all of its notes with E major, so switching between the two changes the mood of a piece without changing a single note. See E major.
Scale reference
See the full C# Natural Minor scale for its fingering, key signature, degrees and step pattern.
Other scales for this key: C# harmonic minor, C# melodic minor, C# minor pentatonic and C# blues.
Other keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of C# minor?
The key of C# minor contains C#m, D#dim, E, F#m, G#m, A, B. These are the triads built on each degree of the C# minor scale.
What is the relative major of C# minor?
The relative major of C# minor is E major. Both keys use exactly the same notes but resolve to a different tonic.
How many sharps or flats does C# minor have?
The C# minor scale is spelled C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B, which gives it 4 sharps and 0 flats.