C# (C sharp) major chord is a real finger stretcher!
About C# major chord
Here are some interesting music theory facts about C# major chord. It can be called C# major or Db major because C# and Db are the same note called enharmonic equivalent in music theory terms.
This phenomenon shows up also in the chord notes. The 3rd can be spelled as E# or as F, which again is really the same note.
- Chord formula: 1 – 3 – 5
- Chord notes: C# – E# – G# (or C# – F – G#)
- Alternative names:
- C#M, C#Ma, C#maj, C#Δ
- DbM, DbMa, Dbmaj, DbΔ
- Common functions:
- V-chord in F# major key
- IV-chord in Ab major key
How to play C# major chord
C# major requires a bit of a stretch, so it might be hard to do if you are not used to this kind of finger position, or your have a smaller hand.
C# major is a so called movable chord, that means you can move the shape of the chord up and down the neck. You will get different major chords of course.
You can use that to your advantage and practice this chord shape lower down the neck where frets are not so far apart. For example, you can build this chord shape starting from 7th fret. You will have a G major chord there.