i-♭VI-♭VII-i (Andalusian Rock)
i · ♭VI · ♭VII · i
Aeolian rock pattern; metal anthem flavor.
Key of C# Minor
The Key of C♯ Minor
The chords in the key of C♯ minor are C♯m, D♯dim, E, F♯m, G♯m, A and B.
The brooding one.
Below: all seven diatonic chords with guitar shapes and audio, the scale, the key signature (F♯ · C♯ · G♯ · D♯), 5 progressions already transposed into this key, and the keys next door.
Diatonic chords
The 7 chords in the key of C♯ minor
Each degree of the C♯ minor scale carries one chord. Roman numerals show the degree; the function column tells you what the chord does. Every name links to its full chord page — press play to hear it on guitar.
| Degree | Function | Chord | Guitar shape | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | TonicTonicHome — rests | C♯mC♯ · E · G♯ | ||
| ii° | SubdominantSupertonicDeparts — sets up the V | D♯dimE♭ · G♭ · Aspelled D♯dim in C# minor · the chord page is E♭ Diminished | ||
| III | TonicMediantHome — rests | EE · G♯ · B | ||
| iv | SubdominantSubdominantDeparts — sets up the V | F♯mF♯ · A · C♯ | ||
| v | DominantDominantPulls back to I | G♯mG♯ · B · D♯ | ||
| VI | TonicSubmediantHome — rests | AA · C♯ · E | ||
| VII | DominantSubtonicPulls back to I | BB · D♯ · F♯ |
Want the same chords on another instrument? Every chord page carries piano, ukulele, bass, mandolin and banjo shapes — start with piano.
Character
Why songs live in C♯ minor
C# minor is the key of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and of a large share of modern pop and electronic music. Four sharps put it on the friendly end of the sharp side, so guitarists borrow A-minor shapes at the fourth fret with a capo rather than barring everything.
Scale
The C♯ minor scale
Seven notes, in order from the tonic. Tap any note to hear it, or play the whole scale ascending.
Fretboard patterns and full scale reference: C# Natural Minor (Aeolian).
Key signature
The C♯ minor key signature
F♯ · C♯ · G♯ · D♯
C♯ minor is written with 4 sharps. Every F, C, G and D in the music is played sharp unless an accidental says otherwise. Its relative major, E major, shares this signature exactly.
Progressions
Chord progressions in C♯ minor
The most-used progressions, already transposed into C♯ minor. Every chord links to its own page; the progression name opens the full breakdown.
ii°-V-i (Minor ii-V-i)
iiø · V · i
The minor-key version of ii-V-I.
i-♭VII-♭VI-V (Andalusian)
i · ♭VII · ♭VI · V
Flamenco / Phrygian descent; minor with major V.
i-iv-V (Minor Three Chord)
i · iv · V
Minor three-chord with major V.
i-♭VI-♭VII (Aeolian Loop)
i · ♭VI · ♭VII
Aeolian rock loop.
FAQ
Questions about the key of C♯ minor
- What chords are in the key of C# minor?
- The key of C# minor contains seven diatonic chords: C#m (i), D#dim (ii°), E (III), F#m (iv), G#m (v), A (VI), B (VII). Most songs in C# minor lean on C#m, F#m and G#m — the tonic, subdominant and dominant.
- What is the relative major of C# minor?
- E major is the relative major of C# minor. Both keys share the same key signature (4 sharps) and exactly the same seven notes — E major simply treats E as home instead of C#, which is why you can borrow chords freely between them.
- What are the easiest chords in C# minor to play on guitar?
- E and A are the open shapes in C# minor — no barre required. The rest of the diatonic chords need a barre or a movable grip, so many players capo instead and use familiar open shapes from an easier key.
Learn the theory
Read up on C♯ minor
This page is the reference. These are the guides that explain how a key works in the first place — read one and the table above stops needing to be looked up.