C#m Guitar Chord Lesson

Learn how to play the C#m/Dbm (Also known as C Sharp Minor/D Flat Minor) chord on guitar, with this free guitar lesson.

The C#m Guitar Chord is an advanced chord and not an easy one to finger if you are just beginning.

If you are having difficulties with barre chords, then check out the following video lesson on playing barre chords. This is a great lesson that will show you some very helpful techniques on playing barre chords correctly.

Still having problems with barre chords? No worries.  I have included two easy versions of the C#m guitar chord here. The easy versions of this chord won’t have the same full sound that the barre chords have, but they are good replacement chords if you aren’t able to play barre chords yet.

The C Sharp Minor Guitar Chord is found by locating the 1, b3 and 5 positions (C#, E and G#) of the C# Major Scale: C#, D#, E#, F#, G#, A#, and B#.  The “b3” symbol means we take the 3rd step of the C# Major scale (E#) and flatten it by 1/2 step to get our “E” note.

So the notes of the C# Minor Chord are: C#, E and G#

Here is a key that will help you read the chart:

Everything on the above chart should be self explanatory, except for the last three in the third column. They may need a bit of explaining. The O, or open symbol, simply means that you do not press down on any notes on that string. The X means you do not strum that particular string. The Barre symbol means you need to barre that particular fret. When you barre a fret you are pressing down on multiple strings at the same time with one finger.

Video Demonstration

Chord Playing Tips

Be sure that you are pressing down on the strings hard enough and play each string one at a time to make sure you have a nice clean sound. If any of the strings buzz or sound muted, then something is not right.