C♯ sixth (C♯6) chord on piano

The C♯ sixth chord (C♯6) is a major sixth chord (a major triad plus a major sixth), made of four notes: C♯ – E♯ – G♯ – A♯. The same chord with a different spelling: D♭ sixth (D♭6).

Root position: C♯4 – E♯4 – G♯4 – A♯4

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What the C♯6 chord sounds like

A sixth chord is a major triad with an added major sixth. It has a cheerful, vintage swing colour and often stands in for the tonic in jazz and swing. It has the same notes as the relative minor seventh (C6 = Am7).

Notes of the C♯6 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	C♯	root
3	E♯	major third (4 semitones)
5	G♯	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
6	A♯	major sixth (9 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

C♯4 – E♯4 – G♯4 – A♯4

1st inversion

E♯4 – G♯4 – A♯4 – C♯5

2nd inversion

G♯4 – A♯4 – C♯5 – E♯5

3rd inversion

A♯4 – C♯5 – E♯5 – G♯5

Which keys is it in?

The C♯6 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

F♯ major: V6 (dominant)
D♯ minor: VII6

Similar chords and substitutes

If C♯6 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

B♭m – relative minor: two shared notes, a common stand-in for the tonic
Fm – mediant minor (iii): two shared notes
C♯maj7 – a softer, jazzier tonic colour
C♯sus4 – suspended version that resolves back to this chord

Same notes

B♭m7 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

C♯ – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Richer versions

C♯13 – the same chord plus 2 colour notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C♯6 chord?

C♯, E♯, G♯, A♯. The root is C♯; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major third, perfect fifth, major sixth.

How do I play the C♯6 chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the C♯6 chord written?

The chord symbol is C♯6 (also written C#6), and its full name is C♯ sixth.