C♯ major (C♯) chord on piano

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

Root position: C♯4 – E♯4 – G♯4

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What the C♯ chord sounds like

A major triad sounds stable and bright: root, major third and perfect fifth. Most songs are built on major chords – in a major key, chords I, IV and V are all major.

Notes of the C♯ chord

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

1st inversion

E♯4 – G♯4 – C♯5

2nd inversion

G♯4 – C♯5 – E♯5

Which keys is it in?

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

F♯ major: V (dominant)
F♯ minor: V (dominant)
D♯ minor: VII

Similar chords and substitutes

If C♯ 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

Richer versions

C♯7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
C♯maj7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
C♯6 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
C♯add9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C♯ chord?

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

How do I play the C♯ 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♯ chord written?

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