I quite like the C#m guitar chord. Minor chords by nature typically sound sad or poignant, but I feel that C#m sounds hopeful at the same time. In fact, depending on the chord progression, I don’t find it sad sounding.
As complicated as the name, C sharp minor, sounds, it’s not actually that complicated to play if you’re a beginner. I’ll show you some easy versions to play and when you’ve mastered them, you can play the medium and hard versions too.
This might seem like a waste, if something is easy one way, why bother learning the harder way? But having a few different versions in your pocket will be helpful when playing with other people. This is because you’ll be able to play different voicings. Where you play the C#m chord on the guitar changes the way it sounds.
Plus, the satisfaction you get when you master a difficult to play chord is awesome.
Contents
C#m Theory
The key of C#m contains the following notes:
C# D# E F# G# A B
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
What you see above is the scale and the numbers underneath indicate the intervals or degrees of the scale. When you construct a major or, as in this case, a minor chord, you use the first, third, and fifth intervals of the scale.
So for C#m, you get C# E G#.
It’s a minor chord because in relation to the major chord, the third is flattened. This means that it’s been lowered a half step or semitone.
The C# major scale looks like this:
C# D# E# F# G# A# B#
Which would make the C# major chord C# E# G#. With C#m, the E# has been flattened, making it an E.
How to Play the C#m Chord: Easy
The C#m chord isn’t in one of the most common guitar keys, which are G and C. But you’ll find it in A and E which you’re likely to come across if you play with other people. Here are the easier versions to get you going.
C#m Version 1
This is the first C#m variation that I learned to play. It has a lovely jazzy sound to it and is quite easy to play with your fretting hand. It might take some practice to only strum the bottom four strings, however. But this is something that comes with time and practice, so just be patient with yourself and keep going.
How to Play C#m Version 1:
C#m Chord Version 1
- Index finger: 3rd string, 1st fret
- Middle finger: 4th string, 2nd fret
- Ring finger: 2nd string, 2nd fret
C#m Version 2
The biggest issue you might run into with this variation of C#m is if you prefer the open chords at the top. Being all the way down in the ninth fret with the root on the high E string (1st string), it’s much easier to get to it quickly if you’re playing other chords in that general vicinity.
But it’s quite a lovely high-pitched voicing that will go well over lower voicings of C#m. You just have to make sure you only strum or pick the bottom three strings.
How to Play C#m Version 2:
C#m Chord Version 2
Simply barre strings 1-3 in the 9th fret using your index finger. Alternatively, you can play it like you would an A chord with your index, middle, and ring finger on each string.
C#m Version 3
This one is a little closer to where the top of the neck of the guitar, so you may be able to reach it easier depending on what other chords you’re playing. It’s also a higher pitched voicing, although not nearly as much as the previous version.
You’ll get a little more bass with the addition of the fourth string too and get some pinky practice in while you’re at it. You only play the bottom four strings.
How to Play C#m Version 3:
C#m Chord Version 3
- Index finger: 1st string, 4th fret
- Middle finger: 2nd string, 5th fret
- Ring finger: 4th string, 6th fret
- Pinky finger: 3rd string, 6th fret
How to Play the C#m Chord: Medium
These chords are a bit harder to play either in terms of strumming or finger placement. But don’t let that deter you. They sound great and with practice you’ll have them down in no time.
C#m Version 4
This is a power chord, but with the root on the sixth string. If you enjoy rock or metal, you’ll have some fun with this variation. You only play two strings, the fifth and sixth strings, which can be a little tricky. But don’t worry, you’ll get used to strumming it right as long as you do it regularly.
How to Play C#m Version 4:
C#m Chord Version 4
- Index finger: 5th string, 7th fret
- Ring or middle finger: 6th string, 9th fret
C#m Version 5
This shape is best played barred so that you only use two fingers. It’s only three strings that you need to barre which is a good starting point for playing full-on barre chords. Again, it’s further down the neck making it a higher pitched voicing.
How to Play C#m Version 5:
C#m Chord Version 5
- Index finger: Barre strings 1-3, 9th fret
- Ring or middle finger: 4th string, 11th fret
C#m Version 6
This chord is a little more bassy given that it’s played on strings four to six. You only play those three strings. If you struggle to do this, you can try and mute the strings that you aren’t supposed to play by angling your index finger.
How to Play C#m Version 6:
C#m Chord Version 6
- Index finger: 4th string, 6th fret
- Middle finger: 5th string, 7th fret
- Ring or pinky finger: 6th string, 9th fret
C#m Version 7
This chord is the fuller variation of C#m version 6. You’ll be playing four strings. It’s easier to barre the notes in fret 6, it may even help you to mute the strings you aren’t meant to play. But if you are struggling to do this, you can play them with your index and middle finger. This will require a little more stretch in your hand, though. But you can do whatever is comfortable and more efficient for you.
How to Play C#m Version 7:
C#m Chord Version 7
- Index finger: Barre the 3rd and 4th string, 6th fret
- Middle finger: 5th string, 7th fret
- Ring or pinky finger: 6th string, 9th fret
C#m Version 8
This is my preferred way to play C#m unless I’m going for a more jazzy feel. This barre chord uses the root on the fifth string and the Am shape. If barre chords look intimidating, or you struggle to get all the strings to ring out clearly, don’t give up. Practice will help your hand get stronger, and you can figure out how to angle your hand to give you the best sound too.
You can also barre all six strings instead, if that’s easier, and if you end up strumming it, it’s not a bad thing. The fourth fret on the sixth string gives you an additional G#.
How to Play C#m Version 8:
C#m Chord Version 8
- Index finger: Barre strings 1-5, 4th fret
- Middle finger: 2nd string, 5th fret
- Ring finger: 4th string, 6th fret
- Pinky finger: 3rd string, 6th fret
C#m Version 9
This barre chord uses the root on the sixth string and the Em shape. Due to its position higher up on the neck this is a higher voicing, but it still sounds fuller thanks to the use of all six strings. If you have some trouble getting all the strings to sound clearly, angle your hand or bolster your index finger with your middle finger. Otherwise, it may just be that you need to build your strength up.
How to Play C#m Version 9:
C#m Chord Version 9
- Index finger: Barre strings 1-6, 9th fret
- Ring finger: 5th string, 11th fret
- Pinky finger: 4th string, 11th fret
C#m Version 10
This chord is one of the other open variations of the Am-shaped barre chord. Again, it’s typically played with both the E strings, that is strings one and six, muted. But since E is present in C#m, you can include them if it’s easier and you like the way it sounds. Without the low E string, it’s a light chord. The bass added by the open low E string will make it heavier and it might even be a bit much. It’s up to you.
How to Play C#m Version 10:
C#m Chord Version 10
- Index finger: 5th string, 4th fret
- Middle finger: 2nd string, 5th fret
- Ring finger: 4th string, 6th fret
- Pinky finger: 3rd string, 6th fret
C#m Version 11
This chord is like the previous version in that typically you avoid the two E strings. But again, you can include them if it’s easier for you, but they change the sound of the chord which is quite high-pitched. Again, the choice is yours.
How to Play C#m Version 11:
C#m Chord Version 11
- Index finger: Barre strings 2 and 3, 9th fret
- Ring finger: 5th string, 11th fret
- Pinky finger: 4th string, 11th fret
C#m Version 12
This variation has a high but gentle voicing since you play it on the thicker strings. You only play strings three to six.
How to Play C#m Version 12:
C#m Chord Version 12
- Index finger: 6th string, 9th fret
- Middle finger: 3rd string, 9th fret
- Ring finger: 5th string, 11th fret
- Pinky finger: 4th string, 11th fret
How to Play the C#m Chord: Hard
C#m Version 13
Very seldom will power chords be put into the hard to play category. But the reason I put it here is that you can only play two of the strings, and the strings you need to avoid are on either side of the chord. This can take some getting used to, but it will come with practice. You’ll be rocking in no time!
How to Play C#m Version 13:
C#m Chord Version 13
- Index finger: 4th string, 2nd fret
- Ring or middle finger: 5th string, 4th fret
C#m Version 14
This chord is much easier if you play it with your fingers by plucking the strings, as opposed to strumming with a pick or your fingers. But if you manage to get it right to strum this chord, it really opens up even more options for your creativity.
How to Play C#m Version 14:
C#m Chord Version 14
- Index finger: 5th string, 7th fret
- Ring or middle finger: 6th string, 9th fret
- Pinky or ring finger: 2nd string, 9th fret
C#m Version 15
This variation is a little bit easier than the previous one if only because your fingers don’t have to stretch as much. It’s also a gentler voicing.
How to Play C#m Version 15:
C#m Chord Version 15
- Index finger: 6th string, 9th fret
- Ring or middle finger: 5th string, 11th fret
- Pinky or ring finger: 3rd string, 11th fret
C#m Version 16
This is the Em-shaped barre chord with a little extra added on. You’ll get an even higher tone if you are able to do some stretching. This makes a really nice accent during picking.
How to Play C#m Version 16:
C#m Chord Version 16
- Index finger: Barre strings 1-6, 9th fret
- Middle finger: 5th string, 11h fret
- Ring finger: 4th string, 11th fret
- Pinky finger: 1st string, 12th fret
C#m Version 17
This variation sounds quite sharp to me since it only involves one of the bassier strings. You need to work on your stretching to play this chord well if you have small hands. It’s also much easier to pick than to strum.
How to Play C#m Version 17:
C#m Chord Version 17
- Index finger: 4th string, 6th fret
- Ring finger: 6th string, 9th fret
- Pink finger: 3rd string, 9th fret
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways to play C#m. You can get really creative with this chord thanks to all the different voicings. Play around with it and see what you like. You won’t have issues jamming well with others if you get to know at least a few of these.
Just remember to be patient with yourself when you move onto the harder versions. Regular practice, and in particular proper practice, makes perfect.
