C# Minor
4th FretThe standard C#m — Am-shape barre at the 4th fret. A full five-string voicing with the root on the A string.
C# Minor
9th FretFull six-string Em-shape barre at the 9th fret. A resonant C#m with the root on the low E string.
C# Minor
11th FretFour-string Dm-shape voicing at the 11th position. Clean and articulate — great for arpeggiated chord work.
C# Minor
4th FretCompact three-note C#m triad on the top strings. Quick and efficient for rhythm parts and fast chord changes.
C# Minor
9th FretAll three top strings barred at the 9th fret — G=E, B=G#, e=C# = C#m. A single barre finger covers the full chord. Great for quick rhythm parts.
C#m is everywhere in A major
C#m is the iii chord in A major and the vi chord in E major. It appears in the widely-used progression A → E → C#m → D, making it one of the most frequently encountered minor chords in rock and pop.
Am-shape barre at 4th fret
The 4th fret is a comfortable position for the Am-shape barre — balanced string tension and easy to fret cleanly. Make sure your index finger fully presses both the A and high e strings.
Try the 9th-fret Em-shape
The Em-shape barre at the 9th fret gives you C#m with the root on the low E. This can be useful when you want a fuller, more resonant bass response or when playing in an ensemble.
Compact triad for quick changes
The three-note triad on the top strings (G=6, B=5, e=4) gives you C#m without any barre. It's fast to grab and works well in uptempo songs.
C#m in the key of E major
In E major, C#m is the vi chord. The progression E → B → C#m → A is one of the most played sequences in modern pop — learning C#m solidly is essential for playing in the key of E.
Common progressions
A → E → C#m → D and E → B → C#m → A are both extremely common. C#m also appears in the key of A major as the iii chord alongside A, E, D, and F#m.
About the C#m Chord on Guitar
The C# minor chord is built from three notes: C# (the root), E (the minor 3rd), and G# (the perfect 5th). It is the relative minor of E major and the iii chord in A major — two of the most guitar-friendly keys. As a result, C#m appears in an enormous number of popular songs. The Am-shape barre at the 4th fret is the standard C#m shape, sitting in a comfortable mid-neck position. The Em-shape barre at the 9th fret provides a fuller alternative. A compact three-note triad on the top strings (G=6, B=5, e=4) offers a no-barre option for fast playing. This page covers five practical voicings with acoustic guitar sound on every diagram.
- 015 C#m chord shapes from beginner to advanced
- 02Interactive diagrams — click Play to hear each chord
- 03Acoustic guitar sound via audio engine
- 04Am-shape barre, Em-shape barre, and compact triad voicings
- 05Difficulty rating on every shape
- 06Free — no sign-up or download needed
ANATOMY
Chord Tones
The 3 notes that form the C# or D♭ Minor chord and their role in the major scale.
Every minor chord follows this same formula — root, minor third, perfect fifth.