Key

The key of C♯ minor · 4 sharps: F♯ C♯ G♯ D♯

Minor keys sound darker and more serious. Songs in minor keys usually borrow a major V chord from the harmonic minor scale for a stronger pull home.

Relative major: E major — the same notes and key signature. Parallel major: C♯ major. Scale: C♯ minor scale.

Notes in the key

C♯D♯EF♯G♯AB

Chords in C♯ minor

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♯m

C♯ E G♯

ii° D♯dim

D♯ F♯ A

III E

E G♯ B

iv F♯m

F♯ A C♯

v G♯m

G♯ B D♯

VI A

A C♯ E

VII B

B D♯ F♯

Borrowed from harmonic minor

Raising the 7th note turns v into a major V (and V7) — the chord that makes minor-key songs resolve so strongly.

V G♯

G♯ B♯ D♯

V7 G♯7

G♯ B♯ D♯ F♯

vii°7 B♯dim7

B♯ D♯ F♯ A

Common progressions in C♯ minor

The epic minor progression i–VI–III–VII C♯m – A – E – B The minor cadence i–iv–V–i C♯m – F♯m – G♯ – C♯m The Andalusian cadence i–VII–VI–V C♯m – B – A – G♯

Circle of fifths

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