C♯m7 (C sharp minor seventh) is built from 4 notes: C♯, E, G♯, B.
- C♯root
- Eminor third
- G♯perfect fifth
- Bminor seventh
Formula: 1, b3, 5, b7
How to play C♯m7 on guitar
x 4 6 4 5 49 11 9 9 9 9Read the diagrams with the low E string on the left. × means do not play that string, ○ means play it open.
Easier way: there is no open C♯m7 shape, so it is usually played with one of the movable shapes above. With a capo you can use a shape you already know: capo on fret 2 and play the Bm7 shape, or capo on fret 4 and play the Am7 shape.
How to play C♯m7 on piano
Play C♯, E, G♯, B together. With your right hand, use fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5 (thumb on C♯). Your left hand can play C♯ an octave lower for a fuller sound.
Where C♯m7 is used
C♯m7 fits in three major keys: it is the two chord (ii7) in B major, the three chord (iii7) in A major and the six chord (vi7) in E major. It is also the home chord (i7) of C♯ minor.
The most common place you will meet it is the ii-V-I progression: C♯m7 - F♯7 - Bmaj7. That move is the backbone of jazz standards and shows up in plenty of pop and soul songs too.
Compared with plain C♯m, the added B makes the chord sound smoother and less sad.
Related chords
Change this chord into another key with the Chord Transposer, or look up any other chord or scale in the Chord and Scale Finder.