C♯ minor seventh (C♯m7) chord on piano

Looking for the C♯m7 chord on piano? It is a minor seventh chord (a minor triad plus a minor seventh), made of four notes: C♯ – E – G♯ – B. The same chord with a different spelling: D♭ minor seventh (D♭m7).

Root position: C♯4 – E4 – G♯4 – B4

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What the C♯m7 chord sounds like

A minor seventh chord is softer than a plain minor chord – the minor seventh fills out the sound. In jazz it is the ii of the ii–V–I, in pop and soul a common colour chord.

Notes of the C♯m7 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	C♯	root
3	E	minor third (3 semitones)
5	G♯	perfect fifth (7 semitones)
7	B	minor seventh (10 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 – E4 – G♯4 – B4

1st inversion

E4 – G♯4 – B4 – C♯5

2nd inversion

G♯4 – B4 – C♯5 – E5

3rd inversion

B4 – C♯5 – E5 – G♯5

Which keys is it in?

The C♯m7 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

C♯ minor: i7 (tonic)
F♯ minor: v7 (dominant)
G♯ minor: iv7 (subdominant)
A major: iii7
E major: vi7
B major: ii7

Similar chords and substitutes

If C♯m7 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

Emaj7 – relative major seventh: three shared notes
F♯7 – in a ii–V, this is the dominant that follows

Same notes

E6 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

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

Richer versions

C♯m9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C♯m7 chord?

C♯, E, G♯, B. The root is C♯; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh.

How do I play the C♯m7 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♯m7 chord written?

The chord symbol is C♯m7 (also written C#m7), and its full name is C♯ minor seventh.