C# minor chords, relative major and Camelot code (12A)
C♯ minor has 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯). Its chords are C♯m, D♯°, E, F♯m, G♯m, A and B. The relative major is E major and the Camelot code is 12A, so it mixes cleanly with 11A, 1A and 12B.
Notes in the C♯ minor scale
C♯ minor has 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯). It sounds identical to D♭ minor, which is the same set of pitches spelled differently; C♯ minor is the usual spelling.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C♯ | D♯ | E | F♯ | G♯ | A | B |
Chords in C♯ minor
Stack every other note of the scale on each degree and you get the seven chords that belong to the key:
| Degree | Chord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| i | C♯m | C♯ · E · G♯ |
| ii° | D♯° | D♯ · F♯ · A |
| III | E | E · G♯ · B |
| iv | F♯m | F♯ · A · C♯ |
| v | G♯m | G♯ · B · D♯ |
| VI | A | A · C♯ · E |
| VII | B | B · D♯ · F♯ |
In practice most songs in C♯ minor swap the minor v for G♯. Raising the seventh note (B to B♯) gives a leading note that pulls back to C♯, so G♯ to C♯m sounds like arriving home.
Common progressions in C♯ minor
- C♯m – A – E – B (i–VI–III–VII): the minor-key pop and trap loop.
- C♯m – F♯m – G♯m (i–iv–v): the plain minor blues shape.
- C♯m – B – A – G♯ (i–VII–VI–V): the descending Andalusian cadence, with a major V.
- C♯m – F♯m – B – E (i–iv–VII–III): a common lo-fi and R&B cycle.
Keys that mix with C♯ minor
C♯ minor is 12A on the Camelot wheel. For a clean blend, go to a key next to it:
| Camelot | Key | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| 11A | F♯ minor | One step round the wheel: shares six of its seven notes |
| 1A | G♯ minor | One step the other way: also shares six of seven notes |
| 12B | E major | The relative major: exactly the same notes |
How the wheel works is in the Camelot wheel explained, and how to use it in a set is in harmonic mixing for DJs.
Relative and parallel keys
The relative major, E major, uses exactly the same notes with a different home chord. The parallel major, D♭ major, keeps C♯ as home but changes three notes. More on the difference in relative major and minor keys.
Questions people ask
What chords are in C♯ minor?
C♯m (i), D♯° (ii°), E (III), F♯m (iv), G♯m (v), A (VI) and B (VII).
What is the relative major of C♯ minor?
E major. It uses the same 7 notes, C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G♯, A, B, but centres on E instead of C♯.
What is the Camelot code for C♯ minor?
12A. In Open Key notation it is 5m.
What keys mix well with C♯ minor?
F♯ minor (11A), G♯ minor (1A) and E major (12B). They sit next to 12A on the Camelot wheel.
How many sharps or flats does C♯ minor have?
4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯).