C# chord

C# major chord for guitar in different forms: basic, as barre chord and with a capo.
See also C# minor chord.

C#

C# (capo 1)

C# barre 1st

C# barre 2nd

Alternative shapes

C#

Relevant chords

C#/G#

Description

C# is the same as C sharp major and equivalent to D flat, but their names change depending on the key they are played in. The chords presented as an alternative shapes are correctly named C#/G# and C#/F, respectively, but either can be used as an easier way to play the chord.

Try it in a chord progression

C# - A - E

Chords that sound good together with C#

The primary chords to combine in a chord progression with C# is: D#m, Fm, F#, G# and A#m.

Follow-up chords

Chords that are likely to follow C# major in progressions:
› F#
› G#7
› A#m

Theory of C# chord

The notes that the C# chord consists of are C#, F, G#.

Inversions

1st inversion: C#/F (means that F is the bass note).
2nd inversion: C#/G# (means that G# is the bass note).

Omissions

C# (no3) is a C# major with no third (F). C#(no3) is theoretically identical with C#5.
C# (no5) is a C# major with no fifth (G#).

Alternatives with capo

C shape with a capo on 1st fret (see picture).
A shape with a capo on 4th fret.
G shape with a capo on 6th fret.

Back to major chords