The C sharp Minor triad is one of the more popular chords in Western music. In this article you’ll learn how to contract 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.
C sharp Minor Triad – Root, 3rd and 5th
The C sharp Minor triad is formed of the 1st, 3rd and 5th of the C sharp minor scale. Another way of putting this is that we have the root note (C#), a minor 3rd above this (E), and a perfect 5th above the root (G#). By playing these notes we form the C sharp minor triad, or the C sharp minor chord.
Below is the C sharp minor triad shown in the treble and 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 a C sharp minor 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, with C sharp being the lowest note, followed by E natural and the highest note being G sharp. This is called ‘root position’.
How to play the C sharp Minor Triad on Guitar
There are two simple positions that you can use to play a C sharp minor triad on guitar. Both positions can also be slide up or down the neck to play different minor triads.
C sharp Minor Triad 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.
We could construct a 1st inversion starting on any E note in any octave. The only thing that must stay the same is that the we use the G sharp above and the C sharp above that. Below you can see this triad on the staff.
How to play C sharp minor 1st inversion on Piano
On the piano we can play the 1st inversion of a C sharp Minor triad by starting on an E. They play the G sharp above and the C sharp above this.
How to Play C sharp Minor 1st Inversion of Guitar
Below are the most common shapes for playing a C sharp minor triad in the 1st inversion. Remember that we can only use certain shapes are the pitches of the three notes are important.
C sharp Minor Triad 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. Agian this will give us a different sound as the relative pitches of the three notes has changed.
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. Below you can see this triad on the staff.
How to play C sharp minor 2nd inversion on Piano
On the piano we can play the 2nd inversion of a C sharp Minor triad by starting on a G sharp. They play the C sharp above and the E above this.
How to Play C sharp Minor 2nd Inversion of Guitar
Below are the most common shapes for playing a C sharp minor triad in the 2nd inversion. Remember that we can only use certain shapes are the pitches of the three notes are important.
What different types of triad are there?
There are several different types of triads that we can create for the major scale:
- Major Triad– This is formed with the 1st, 3rd (major 3rd) and 5th (perfect fifth) of the major scale. The C Major triad is C#, E# and G#.
- Minor Triad– This is the same as the major triad, except instead of a major 3rd we have a minor 3rd. The C sharp Minor triad is therefore C#, E, G#.
- Diminished Triad – To create the diminished triad start with the 1st (C#), then minor 3rd (E) then a diminished 5th (G). A Diminished 5th interval is a half-step (semitone) smaller than a perfect 5th.
- Augmented Triads– This triad starts with the 1st degree of the scale (C#), followed by major 3rd (E#) and augmented 5th (Gx). An augmented 5th interval is a half-step (semitone) larger than a perfect 5th.
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
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.
What’s next….?
- Learn how to construct the C sharp Major triad
- Swat up on your chord knowledge with our complete guide to chords.
