Key

The key of C♯ major · 7 sharps: F♯ C♯ G♯ D♯ A♯ E♯ B♯

Major keys sound bright and settled. The I, IV and V chords do most of the work; the minor ii, iii and vi add color.

Parallel minor: C♯ minor. Scale: C♯ major scale.

Notes in the key

C♯D♯E♯F♯G♯A♯B♯

Chords in C♯ major

One chord on each note of the scale. Roman numerals show each chord’s position — uppercase for major, lowercase for minor.

Left-handed

I C♯

C♯ E♯ G♯

ii D♯m

D♯ F♯ A♯

iii E♯m

E♯ G♯ B♯

IV F♯

F♯ A♯ C♯

V G♯

G♯ B♯ D♯

vi A♯m

A♯ C♯ E♯

vii° B♯dim

B♯ D♯ F♯

Common progressions in C♯ major

The pop progression I–V–vi–IV C♯ – G♯ – A♯m – F♯ Three-chord rock I–IV–V–IV C♯ – F♯ – G♯ – F♯ The ’50s progression I–vi–IV–V C♯ – A♯m – F♯ – G♯ The minor-feel pop progression vi–IV–I–V A♯m – F♯ – C♯ – G♯ The 12-bar blues 12-bar blues C♯7 – F♯7 – G♯7 The jazz cadence ii–V–I D♯m7 – G♯7 – C♯maj7 The turnaround I–vi–ii–V C♯ – A♯m – D♯m – G♯ Pachelbel’s Canon I–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–V C♯ – G♯ – A♯m – E♯m – F♯ – C♯ – F♯ – G♯ The Mixolydian rock progression I–♭VII–IV–I C♯ – B – F♯ – C♯

Circle of fifths

Each step clockwise adds a sharp (or removes a flat). Neighbors on the circle share all but one note, so C♯ major’s closest keys are right next to it — and its relative minor sits on the inner ring. Click any key to open it.