Chord progression · C♯ minor

The minor cadence (i–iv–V–i) in C♯ minor

The minor-key version of I–IV–V. The V chord is major (borrowed from the harmonic minor scale), which gives a strong pull back home.

Chords in C♯ minor
C♯m→F♯m→G♯→C♯m
Numerals
iivVi

Play along

4 bars of 4 beats, looping · pick a key above to transpose

1C♯mi
2F♯miv
3G♯V
4C♯mi

Strum pattern: ↓   ↓↑  ↑↓↑ (down, down-up, up-down-up) — count “1 2 & 3 & 4 &”. Learn this strum →

The chords

i C♯m
×4C♯2E1G♯3C♯E
1G♯2C♯E4C♯
C4EC♯G♯C♯ E G♯
iv F♯m
1F♯3C♯4F♯1A1C♯1F♯
2A1C♯3F♯A
C4AC♯F♯F♯m/C♯
V G♯
4fr1G♯3D♯4G♯2B♯1D♯1G♯
1G♯2D♯4G♯3B♯
B♯D♯G♯G♯/B♯

Piano voicings use inversions so each chord is as close as possible to the one before — your hand barely moves. Switch to “Root position” to compare.