Chords in the key of C♯
The key of C♯ major has seven chords: C♯ · D♯m · E♯m · F♯ · G♯ · A♯m · B♯dim. Tap any chord to hear it.
Keys lit: the C♯ major scale. Tap a chord to light its notes.
The C♯ major chord chart
| Degree | Triad | Notes | 7th chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | C♯ | C♯ E♯ G♯ | C♯maj7 (Imaj7) | Tonic: home |
| ii | D♯m | D♯ F♯ A♯ | D♯m7 (ii7) | Pre-dominant |
| iii | E♯m | E♯ G♯ B♯ | E♯m7 (iii7) | Tonic substitute |
| IV | F♯ | F♯ A♯ C♯ | F♯maj7 (IVmaj7) | Subdominant |
| V | G♯ | G♯ B♯ D♯ | G♯7 (V7) | Dominant: pulls home |
| vi | A♯m | A♯ C♯ E♯ | A♯m7 (vi7) | Relative minor |
| vii° | B♯dim | B♯ D♯ F♯ | B♯m7♭5 (viiø7) | Leading-tone chord |
Key of C♯ at a glance
- Scale: C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯ G♯ A♯ B♯
- Key signature: 7 sharps (C♯ major) — enharmonic with D♭ major, 5 flats (C♯ D♯ E♯ F♯ G♯ A♯ B♯)
- Major chords: C♯, F♯, G♯
- Minor chords: D♯m, E♯m, A♯m
- Diminished: B♯dim
- Relative minor: A♯ minor
The pattern of chord qualities is the same in every major key: major, minor, minor, major, major, minor, diminished. It comes from stacking every other note of the scale on each degree.
Common progressions in C♯
| Progression | Chords in C♯ | Play |
|---|---|---|
| I–V–vi–IV (pop) | C♯ – G♯ – A♯m – F♯ | |
| I–IV–V (rock and folk) | C♯ – F♯ – G♯ – C♯ | |
| I–vi–IV–V (50s) | C♯ – A♯m – F♯ – G♯ | |
| ii–V–I (jazz) | D♯m – G♯ – C♯ – C♯ | |
| vi–IV–I–V (sensitive) | A♯m – F♯ – C♯ – G♯ |
More ideas by mood: pop, sad and jazz chord progressions, or loop your own in the chord progression generator.
Other keys
Questions
What chords are in the key of C♯?
The key of C♯ major has seven chords: C♯, D♯m, E♯m, F♯, G♯, A♯m, B♯dim. In Roman numerals that is I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi and vii°.
What are the I, IV and V chords in C♯?
C♯ (I), F♯ (IV) and G♯ (V). These three major chords can harmonise most simple melodies in C♯ major.
What is the relative minor of C♯ major?
A♯ minor. It uses the same notes and key signature (7 sharps (C♯ major) — enharmonic with D♭ major, 5 flats), starting on the sixth degree, A♯.
What notes are in the C♯ major scale?
C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯, then C♯ again an octave higher.