C♯ Minor Guitar Chord (C♯m)
C♯m is the relative minor of E, so guitar rock lands on it constantly. No open shape exists. x46654, the Am grip barred at the fourth fret.
C♯m wilts the spinach.
C♯m chord shapes in standard tuning
How to play it
Lay your index finger flat across the top 5 strings (from the A (5th) string up) at fret 4. That barre is the backbone of this C♯m shape. Then add your middle finger on the B (2nd) string at fret 5, your ring finger on the D (4th) string at fret 6, and your pinky finger on the G (3rd) string at fret 6. Keep the low E (6th) string out of the strum. Start your downstroke from the A (5th) string.
Notes in this chord
| Symbol | Interval | Note |
|---|---|---|
| R | root | C♯ |
| ♭3 | minor third | E |
| 5 | perfect fifth | G♯ |
Keep exploring
Other tunings
Open the interactive chord charts to see C♯m in open G, drop D, DADGAD, and more tunings.
More C♯ chords
Nearby minor chords
C♯m FAQ
What notes are in C♯m?
C♯m contains C♯, E, and G♯. That's the root (C♯), the minor third, and the perfect fifth.
Is C♯m a barre chord?
The most common C♯m shape (x-4-6-6-5-4) is a barre chord. Your index finger bars fret 4 across 5 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♯m on guitar?
Start with the barre · 4fr shape x-4-6-6-5-4. Lay your index finger flat across the top 5 strings (from the A (5th) string up) at fret 4. That barre is the backbone of this C♯m shape. Then add your middle finger on the B (2nd) string at fret 5, your ring finger on the D (4th) string at fret 6, and your pinky finger on the G (3rd) string at fret 6. Keep the low E (6th) string out of the strum. Start your downstroke from the A (5th) string.