The key of C♯ minor has 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯). The notes of the scale are C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A, B and its diatonic chords are C#m, D#°, E, F#m, G#m, A, B.
C♯ minor scale
Natural minor scale: C♯ · D♯ · E · F♯ · G♯ · A · B · C♯
Harmonic minor (7th degree raised a half step): C♯ · D♯ · E · F♯ · G♯ · A · B♯ · C♯
Melodic minor (6th and 7th raised, going up): C♯ · D♯ · E · F♯ · G♯ · A♯ · B♯ · C♯
The chords (triads)
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | C#m | C♯ E G♯ | |
| ii° | D#° | D♯ F♯ A | |
| III | E | E G♯ B | |
| iv | F#m | F♯ A C♯ | |
| v | G#m | G♯ B D♯ | |
| VI | A | A C♯ E | |
| VII | B | B D♯ F♯ | |
| V | G# | G♯ B♯ D♯ |
In practice, minor keys almost always use G# (a major chord, from the harmonic minor scale) as the dominant, because it pulls strongly to C#m.
Seventh chords
| Degree | Symbol | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| i | C#m7 | C♯ E G♯ B | |
| ii° | D#m7(b5) | D♯ F♯ A C♯ | |
| III | E7M | E G♯ B D♯ | |
| iv | F#m7 | F♯ A C♯ E | |
| v | G#m7 | G♯ B D♯ F♯ | |
| VI | A7M | A C♯ E G♯ | |
| VII | B7 | B D♯ F♯ A | |
| V7 | G#7 | G♯ B♯ D♯ F♯ |
Common progressions in C♯ minor
- C#m – F#m – G# – C#m (i – iv – V – i)
- C#m – A – E – B (i – VI – III – VII)
- D#° – G# – C#m (ii° – V – i)
- C#m – B – A – G# (i – VII – VI – V)
Relative key
The relative major of C♯ minor is E major: same notes, starting from E.
Chords in other keys
Major keys: C major · G major · D major · A major · E major · B major · F♯ major · G♭ major · D♭ major · A♭ major · E♭ major · B♭ major · F major
Minor keys: A minor · E minor · B minor · F♯ minor · C♯ minor · G♯ minor · E♭ minor · B♭ minor · F minor · C minor · G minor · D minor
Learn how it works in diatonic chords: the complete guide and practice the scales in the app with your microphone.
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of C♯ minor?
In the natural minor: C#m, D#°, E, F#m, G#m, A, B. In practice the major G# is also used as the dominant.
What is the difference between natural, harmonic and melodic minor?
Harmonic minor raises the 7th a half step (B♯); melodic minor raises the 6th and 7th (A♯ and B♯) going up.
What is the relative major of C♯ minor?
E major, which uses the same notes.