C♯ Major Guitar Chord (C♯)
C♯ major is a three-note chord built from C♯ (the root), E♯ (the major third), and G♯ (the perfect fifth). It is the open, confident sound at the heart of most pop, rock, folk, and country songs. Play it after almost any other chord and it feels like arriving home. Below are 4 ways to play it in standard tuning, easiest shape first.
C♯ chord shapes — standard tuning
How to play it
Lay your index finger flat across the top 3 strings (from the G (3rd) string up) at fret 1 — that barre is the backbone of this C♯ shape. Then add your middle finger on the B (2nd) string at fret 2, your ring finger on the D (4th) string at fret 3, and your pinky finger on the A (5th) string at fret 4. Keep the low E (6th) string out of the strum — start your downstroke from the A (5th) string.
Once that shape is comfortable, try the other 3 voicings above — same notes, different neck positions and textures.
Notes in this chord
| Symbol | Interval | Note |
|---|---|---|
| R | root | C♯ |
| 3 | major third | E♯ (same pitch as F) |
| 5 | perfect fifth | G♯ |
Keep exploring
Other tunings
Open the interactive chord charts to see C♯ in open G, drop D, DADGAD, and more tunings.
More C♯ chords
- C♯ minor (C♯m)
- C♯ dominant 7th (C♯7)
- C♯ minor 7th (C♯m7)
- C♯ major 7th (C♯maj7)
- C♯ suspended 4th (C♯sus4)
Nearby major chords
C♯ FAQ
What notes are in C♯?
C♯ contains C♯, E♯, and G♯ — the root (C♯), the major third, and the perfect fifth.
Is C♯ a barre chord?
The most common C♯ shape (x-4-3-1-2-1) is a barre chord — your index finger bars fret 1 across 3 strings. There is no standard open-position shape for this chord in standard tuning, but the diagrams above include every practical alternative up the neck.
What is the easiest way to play C♯ on guitar?
Start with the barre · 1fr shape x-4-3-1-2-1. Lay your index finger flat across the top 3 strings (from the G (3rd) string up) at fret 1 — that barre is the backbone of this C♯ shape. Then add your middle finger on the B (2nd) string at fret 2, your ring finger on the D (4th) string at fret 3, and your pinky finger on the A (5th) string at fret 4. Keep the low E (6th) string out of the strum — start your downstroke from the A (5th) string.