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C♯m7 chord on guitar

C♯m7 (C♯ minor seventh) is C♯, E, G♯ and B. It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 4th fret, written x46454. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 4th fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 5th fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 6th fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

C♯m7

C♯ minor seventh · C♯ E G♯ B · 1 ♭3 5 ♭7

  • 4th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    4fr13121C♯G♯BEG♯

    x46454

  • 9th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 6th string

    9fr131111C♯G♯BEG♯C♯

    9-11-9-9-9-9

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are C♯, the root.

How to play C♯m7

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 4th fret

    x46454
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 4th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 5th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 6th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 6th string · 9th fret

    9-11-9-9-9-9
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across all six strings at the 9th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 11th fret.

Notes in the C♯m7 chord

C♯m7 is C♯, E, G♯ and B, and it sounds mellow and smooth, the everyday chord of R&B, soul and lo-fi. From C♯, count 3 half steps up to E, 4 more to G♯ and 3 more to B. Its formula is 1 ♭3 5 ♭7. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with C♯ lowest. See its inversions and keys on the C♯m7 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after C♯m7

F♯7242322C♯m7 to F♯7 is ii7 to V7, the first half of jazz’s ii–V–I.Amaj7x02120C♯m7 to Amaj7 is i7 to VImaj7, the lift R&B and lo-fi loops are built on.D♯m7x68676C♯m7 to D♯m7 is ii7 to iii7, one step up in the same key.

More guitar chords

Other chords on C♯

D♭C♯mC♯7D♭maj7C♯sus2C♯sus4D♭add9C♯9D♭6C♯dimC♯m7♭5C♯dim7D♭aug

Minor seventh chords on other notes

Cm7Dm7E♭m7Em7Fm7F♯m7Gm7G♯m7Am7B♭m7Bm7

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play C♯m7 on guitar?

It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 4th fret, written x46454. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 4th fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 5th fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 6th fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the C♯m7 chord?

C♯m7 is C♯, E, G♯ and B. In the shape written x46454, the 5th to 1st strings play C♯, G♯, B, E and G♯.

Is C♯m7 a barre chord?

Usually, yes: it has no open shape. The barre at the 4th fret (x46454) is the one most players use; the same shape moved to another fret plays another root.

How many ways can you play C♯m7 on guitar?

This page shows two: x46454 (4th fret) and 9-11-9-9-9-9 (9th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with C♯m7?

Yes. “Make a beat in C♯ minor” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C♯ minor on C♯m A E B, the key where C♯m7 is the i7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in C♯ minor

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C♯ minor on C♯m A E B, the key where C♯m7 is the i7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in C♯ minorAll guitar chords

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