C♯ Major
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The C♯ major chord is a triad formed from a root (C♯), a major third (E♯) and a perfect fifth (G♯).
How to play C♯ major on the piano
Playing the C♯ major chord starts with finding the root of the chord: C♯. Look for the black keys in pairs of two and place your finger on the left one of these two — the black key between C and D. From there, you can start building the chord.
To play the C♯ major chord, you'll use these notes: C♯, E♯ and G♯. Use the following fingers to play the chord with your right hand:
G♯ - Fifth finger (5)
E♯ - Third finger (3)
C♯ - First finger (1)
Read more: Our guide to major and minor chords.
To play the chord with your left hand, use these fingers:
G♯ - First finger (1)
E♯ - Third finger (3)
C♯ - Fifth finger (5)
In some instances, a piece of music may require you to play the chord with different fingers. Watch our video above to see how the chord is built.
What are the inversions of C♯ major?
The C♯ major chord has two inversions. To form the first and second inversions, follow the instructions below.
How to play the first inversion of C♯ major
To play the first inversion of C♯ major, place E♯ as the lowest note in the chord. With your right hand, you can play the chord with the following fingers:
C♯ - Fifth finger (5)
G♯ - Second finger (2)
E♯ - First finger (1)
Read more: Our guide to chord inversions.
How to play the second inversion of C♯ major
By placing G♯ as the lowest note in the chord, you can play the second inversion of C♯ major. Use the following fingers to play the chord with your right hand:
E♯ - Fifth finger (5)
C♯ - Third finger (3)
G♯ - First finger (1)
