music theory
Note, Scale, Chord… explained simply
music theory
Note, Scale, Chord… explained simply

C# major: Key Signature, Scale and Chords

Circle of fifths with C# major (7 ♯): chords of the key highlighted on the wheel

C# major has 7 ♯ (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#) in its key signature.

The C# major scale is: C# D# E# F# G# A# B# C#.

The diatonic chords are C# (I), D#m (ii), E#m (iii), F# (IV), G# (V), A#m (vi) and B#dim (vii°). The main functions are C# (tonic), F# (subdominant) and G# (dominant).

The relative minor is A# minor. In the circle of fifths, F# major (a fifth lower) sits right next to C# major.

C# major has seven sharps and is enharmonically equivalent to Db major. Because Db major with five flats is easier to read, it is usually preferred. Bach wrote a prelude and fugue in C# major in "The Well-Tempered Clavier".

All keys at a glance

Table with key signatures and all diatonic chords. Click a key to open its own page.

Back to the overview: Circle of Fifth

Mnemonic for sharp keys: Good Dogs Always Eat Big Fat Cats

Mnemonic for flat keys: Fat Bears Eat Apples Daily Getting Chubby

KeyKey signatureIiiiiiIVVvivii°
C majorA minornoneCDmEmFGAmBdim
G majorE minor1 ♯F#GAmBmCDEmF#dim
D majorB minor2 ♯F#, C#DEmF#mGABmC#dim
A majorF# minor3 ♯F#, C#, G#ABmC#mDEF#mG#dim
E majorC# minor4 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#EF#mG#mABC#mD#dim
B majorG# minor5 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#BC#mD#mEF#G#mA#dim
F# majorD# minor6 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#F#G#mA#mBC#D#mE#dim
C# majorA# minor7 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#C#D#mE#mF#G#A#mB#dim
F majorD minor1 ♭BbFGmAmBbCDmEdim
Bb majorG minor2 ♭Bb, EbBbCmDmEbFGmAdim
Eb majorC minor3 ♭Bb, Eb, AbEbFmGmAbBbCmDdim
Ab majorF minor4 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, DbAbBbmCmDbEbFmGdim
Db majorBb minor5 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, GbDbEbmFmGbAbBbmCdim
Gb majorEb minor6 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, CbGbAbmBbmCbDbEbmFdim
Cb majorAb minor7 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, FbCbDbmEbmFbGbAbmBbdim

Free Online Exercises

Interactive carousel with 4 music theory exercises. Use the arrow keys or swipe to move between the exercises.