C#m Guitar Chord the Easy Way

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

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#

For the most part, this is an advanced guitar chord, and not an easy one to play , but there are two versions of the C#m chord below that are quite easy and should pose no problem if you are a beginner.  Technically speaking, the two shapes below are chord inversions.  They contain the same notes as a true C#m chord only the C# is no longer the root of these chords.

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

Easy Variation 1

The C#m chord on the fourth fret is normally played as a barre chord, but it can be simplified as shown below by removing the barre.

Easy Variation 2

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.

Advanced C#m Guitar Chords

Feeling adventurous? Follow this link for more advanced variations of the C#m guitar chord.