Piano chord · Triads
C♯ major chord on piano
Right hand: C♯ (1), E♯ (3), G♯ (5)
How to play C♯ on piano: the keys to press, which fingers to use, inversions and how it’s written on the staff.
Bright, stable and resolved — the foundation of most songs.
C♯ is the I chord in D♭ major, IV in A♭ major and V in F♯ major. In minor keys: III in B♭ minor, V in F♯ minor, VI in F minor and VII in E♭ minor.
- Notes
- C♯E♯G♯
- Formula
- 135
- Built from
- root · major 3rd · perfect 5th
Piano
Root position · numbers are finger numbers
How to play it
Right handC♯1 · thumbE♯3 · middleG♯5 · pinky
Left handC♯5 · pinkythe root, an octave lower
Finger numbers: 1 thumb · 2 index · 3 middle · 4 ring · 5 pinky. Inversions use the same notes with a different one on the bottom — they help you move smoothly between chords. Tap any key to hear it.
Tips for playing C♯ on piano
On piano, C♯ has two black keys (C♯ and G♯) and one white key.
You’ll find C♯ in common progressions such as C♯–G♯–A♯m–F♯ (the pop progression in C♯ major), C♯–F♯–G♯–F♯ (three-chord rock in C♯ major) and C♯–A♯m–F♯–G♯ (the ’50s progression in C♯ major).
