C Sharp Minor Triad: A Music Theory Guide 🎶🎸🎹

By Jade Bultitude
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In this article you’ll learn how to construct the C sharp minor triad as well as how to play it on piano and guitar.

We’ve also included sections on inversions for those that want a deeper understanding. Lastly, listen to some examples of popular songs that featured this triad.

Root, 3rd and 5th

The C sharp minor triad is formed of the 1st, flat 3rd and flat 5th of the C sharp major scale.

  • C# – root note
  • E – minor 3rd above the root
  • G# – perfect 5th above the root

Here is the triad written on the stave in the treble and bass clef.

C sharp min triad treble clef
C# minor triad bass clef

Before you read on make sure that you have a basic understanding of intervals. Intervals are vital for understanding how triads are built. Check out our guide to major, minor and perfect intervals for more on this.

C sharp Minor Triad on Piano

Below you can see how to play this triad on the keyboard or piano. This pattern of notes could also be played starting on any C sharp note.

However, the order of the notes must be the same:

  • C sharp – lowest note
  • F – middle note
  • G sharp – highest note

This is called ‘root position’.

C sharp min triad root position piano diagram

C# Minor Triad on Guitar

There are two simple positions that you can use to play a C sharp minor chord on guitar. Both positions can also be slide up or down the neck to play different minor triads.

C sharp minor chord root position guitar chart

1st Inversion

A 1st inversion is where we take a triad but we start on the second note, which in this case is E natural. We still keep the G sharp above, but then the C sharp (or root) become the highest note.

This way of rearranging a triad gives us a different sound as the relative pitches of the three notes has changed.

  • E – lowest note
  • G sharp – middle note
  • C sharp – highest note
C sharp minor chord 1st inversion

1st inversion on Piano

On the piano we can play the 1st inversion of a C# Minor triad by starting on an E. They play the G sharp above and the C sharp above this.

C# minor triad 1st inversion paino diagram

1st Inversion on Guitar

Below are the most common shapes for playing a C sharp min chord in the 1st inversion. Remember that we can only use certain shapes are the pitches of the three notes are important.

C sharp minor chord 1st inversion guitar chart

2nd Inversion

A 2nd inversion is where we take a triad but we start on the third note, which in this case is G sharp. We still keep the C sharp above this as we did from the 1st inversion. Then the E becomes the highest note in the chord.

  • G# – perfect 5th (lowest note)
  • C# – root note (middle note)
  • E – minor 3rd (highest note)

We could construct a 2nd inversion starting on any G sharp note in any octave. The only thing that must stay the same is that the we use the C sharp above and the E above that.

C sharp minor chord 2nd inversion

2nd inversion on Piano

On the piano we can play the 2nd inversion of a C# Minor triad by starting on a G sharp. They play the C sharp above and the E above this.

C# minor triad 2nd inversion piano diagram

2nd Inversion on Guitar

Below are the most common shapes for playing a C# minor chord in the 2nd inversion. Remember that we can only use certain shapes are the pitches of the three notes are important.

C sharp minor chord 2nd inversion guitar chart

Triads from the C sharp Minor Scale

By looking at the C sharp Minor scale we can actually make triads built on each note and only using notes from C sharp minor. Below you can see a list of each triad we will create be starting on different notes of the scale.

  • C# Minor
  • D# Dim
  • E Major
  • F# Minor
  • G# Minor
  • A Major
  • B Major
chords in c sharp minor

Pieces in C sharp Minor

Here’s 3 famous examples of songs in a C sharp minor key. For this reason, they use C sharp minor triads, as the root note chord, prominently in their chord progressions.

‘Barbie Girl’ – Aqua

“Barbie Girl” by Aqua is a catchy pop song that playfully explores themes of consumerism. It is also on the soundtrack for the 2023 film ‘Barbie’.

‘Icarus’ – Madeon

“Icarus” by Madeon is a captivating electronic composition that blends intricate rhythms with ethereal melodies, offering listeners a sonic journey through atmospheric soundscapes.

‘halfway Gone’ – Lifehouse

“Halfway Gone” by Lifehouse is a melodic rock track that delves into themes of introspection and personal change.

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AUTHOR
Jade is a flute player and music educator with a passion for educating the next generation of musicians. She is a Masters Graduate from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Jade has been helping people learn music theory for more than 10 years from pre school children all the way to degree level studies.