Minor Key Chords
Let’s find all the chords for the key of C sharp minor. These are the chords we’ll use when creating chord progressions and playing creatively in that key. Minor keys are really enjoyable to use on the piano.
How to Find Chords for the Key of C Sharp Minor
To find chords for the key of C sharp minor, we’ll first need to build a C sharp minor scale.
There are different kinds of minor scales, so we’ll start with a natural minor scale. C sharp natural minor is relative to E major. This means these two scales use the same notes to build their scales, but start and end on different notes. Since these scales share the same notes, they also share the same chords, but in a different order.
Here are the notes for a C sharp minor scale:
C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B – C♯
Now we’ll build a chord off each note of the scale, using only the notes of the scale to build the chords.
We’ll start on C♯ and build a “1 – 3 – 5” chord using only the notes of the scale. When we do this, we get: C♯ – E – G♯
Then we’ll start on D♯ and build another “1 – 3 – 5” chord, using only the notes of the scale. When we do, we get: D♯ – F♯ – A
Next we’ll start on E and build another “1 – 3 – 5” chord, using only the notes of the scale to build the chord. When we do, we get: E – G♯ – B
We can continue following this pattern, building a “1 – 3 – 5” chord off each note of the scale, and using only the notes of the scale to build the chords.
Chords for Minor Keys Printable
Learn the chords for each minor key with this 40-page PDF! Chords are built with both the natural minor and harmonic minor scales.
Chords for the Key of C Sharp Minor
Here are the chords for the key of C sharp minor:
C♯ – E – G♯ = C♯ minor chord
D♯ – F♯ – A = D♯ diminished chord
E – G♯ – B = E major chord
F♯ – A – C♯ = F♯ minor chord
G♯ – B – D♯ = G♯ minor chord
B – D♯ – F♯ = B major chord
How Do We Label the Chords?
You may be wondering how we can tell if a chord is major, minor or diminished. There are actually four types of “1 – 3 – 5” chords, or “triads”:
Major chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale.
Minor chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the third note is lowered 1/2 step.
Augmented chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the third and fifth notes are raised 1/2 step.
Diminished chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the third and fifth notes are lowered 1/2 step.
When we build a “1 – 3 – 5” chord off each note of a natural minor scale, we’ll always get these chord types in this order:
Minor
Diminished
Major
Minor
Minor
Major
Major
We can use this pattern to find the chords for other minor keys!
Primary Chords for C Sharp Minor
Each minor key has three “primary” chords. Primary chords are the chords used most often in that key, and they’re built off the first, fourth and fifth notes of the scale.
The primary chords for the key of C sharp minor are:
C♯ minor
F♯ minor
G♯ minor
How to Find Chords for C Sharp Minor Using the Harmonic Minor Scale
Now let’s find the chords using the C sharp harmonic minor scale. Harmonic minor scales are similar to natural minor scales, except the seventh note is raised 1/2 step.
Here are the notes for a C sharp harmonic minor scale:
C♯ – D♯ – E – F♯ – G♯ – A – B♯ – C♯
Now we’ll build a “1 – 3 – 5” chord off each note of the harmonic minor scale, using only the notes of the scale to build the chords as before.
Chords for C Sharp Minor Using the Harmonic Minor Scale
Here are the chords for C sharp minor using the harmonic minor scale:
C♯ – E – G♯ = C♯ minor chord
D♯ – F♯ – A = D♯ diminished chord
E – G♯ – B♯ = E augmented chord
F♯ – A – C♯ = F♯ minor chord
G♯ – B♯ – D♯ = G♯ major chord
B♯ – D♯ – F♯ = B♯ diminished chord
Labeling the Chords
When we build a “1 – 3 – 5” chord off each note of the harmonic minor scale, using only the notes of the scale to build the chords, we’ll always get these chord types in this order:
Minor
Diminished
Augmented
Minor
Major
Major
Diminished
Primary Chords for C Sharp Minor Using the Harmonic Minor Scale
The primary chords for C sharp minor when we use the harmonic minor scale are:
C♯ minor
F♯ minor
G♯ major
When we use the harmonic minor scale to build the chords instead of the natural minor scale, the third primary chord becomes major instead of minor. This adds some nice contrast to the music.
Conclusion
Now you know how to find the chords for the key of C sharp minor on the piano, and you can use them to create chord progressions and play creatively in that key!
Minor keys are a lot of fun to use, since they work well for expressing a variety of moods. And when we use chords to play creatively, there’s lots of room for personal expression and creativity!
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