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

C# minor: Key Signature, Scale and Chords

Circle of fifths with C# minor (4 ♯): chords of the key highlighted on the wheel

C# minor has 4 ♯ (F#, C#, G#, D#) in its key signature.

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

The diatonic chords are C#m (i), D#dim (ii°), E (III), F#m (iv), G#m (v), A (VI) and B (VII). The main functions are C#m (tonic), F#m (subdominant) and G#m (dominant).

In harmonic minor the 7th degree is raised (B#); this turns the dominant into the major chord G#.

The relative major is E major. In the circle of fifths, F# minor (a fifth lower) and G# minor (a fifth higher) sit right next to C# minor.

Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" (Op. 27 No. 2) is in C# minor, as is Rachmaninoff's famous Prelude Op. 3 No. 2.

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.