Which notes are in the C#m chord?

C#m contains the notes C#, E and G#. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – ♭3 – 5.

How many ways can you play C#m?

Minory lists a single ukulele fingering for C#m.

Is the C#m chord hard to play?

C#m requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.

Are C#m and Dbm the same chord?

Yes. C#m and Dbm are enharmonically identical — the spelling differs but the frets and keys are the same. Which name is used depends on the key of the piece.

C# minor · Ukulele

C#m Chord on Ukulele

The C#m chord (C# minor) is built from the notes C#, E and G#. The ukulele fingering for it is shown below. The same chord is also written Dbm; both spellings sound identical.

Chord diagrams

C#mstarts at fret 1

Fingering

string 4 (G): fret 1 — index finger
string 3 (C): fret 4 — middle finger
string 2 (E): fret 4 — ring finger
string 1 (A): fret 4 — little finger

Notes in this chord

C♯
E
G♯

Degrees: 1 – ♭3 – 5

Also written: Dbm

How to play

C#m can be played with open strings on ukulele, which makes it an accessible shape for beginners. Strings marked ○ ring open, while strings marked ✕ are muted.

Theory behind the chord

Minor chords sound darker than major ones because the third is lowered by a semitone. They carry the melancholic colour in most songs and pair naturally with their relative major. On C#m this structure sits on the root C#, so the degrees 1 – ♭3 – 5 map onto C#, E and G#. C#m is the vi chord in the key of E major, the ii chord in B major and the iii chord in A major. Its relative major is E. It is often heard in the C#m – A – E – B progression.

Frequently asked questions

Which notes are in the C#m chord?: C#m contains the notes C#, E and G#. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – ♭3 – 5.
How many ways can you play C#m?: Minory lists a single ukulele fingering for C#m.
Is the C#m chord hard to play?: C#m requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.
Are C#m and Dbm the same chord?: Yes. C#m and Dbm are enharmonically identical — the spelling differs but the frets and keys are the same. Which name is used depends on the key of the piece.

Practise C#m on your phone

Minory bundles the full chord library with a tuner, metronome and repertoire notebook — and it all works offline.