C# is a major, spelled C#, E# and G#. In Standard tuning (E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4) the easiest shape is x46664, which sits at fret 4, needs a barre across 5 strings at fret 4 and mutes 1 string. 12 positions for it are shown below, from the nut up to fret 13.
Notes and intervals
Note
C#
E#
G#
Interval
1P
3M
5P
12 ways to play it
Ordered by how hard they are to fret, easiest first, one per position on the neck. Fret numbers are relative to the position marked beside each grid.
x46664sits at fret 4, needs a barre across 5 strings at fret 4 and mutes 1 stringx43121sits at fret 1, needs a barre across 3 strings at fret 1 and mutes 1 string443xxxsits at fret 3, spans 1 fret and mutes 3 strings911111099sits at fret 9 and needs a barre across 6 strings at fret 9986669sits at fret 6 and needs a barre across 3 strings at fret 6x111110xxsits at fret 10, spans 1 fret and mutes 3 stringsx4362xsits at fret 2, spans 4 frets and mutes 2 stringsxx11131413sits at fret 11, spans 3 frets and mutes 2 strings981110xxsits at fret 8, spans 3 frets and mutes 2 stringsxxx131413sits at fret 13, needs a barre across 3 strings at fret 13 and mutes 3 stringsx4666xsits at fret 4, spans 2 frets and mutes 2 stringsxxx664sits at fret 4, spans 2 frets and mutes 3 strings
The five shapes
Every shape below is one of the five open chords moved up the neck, with a finger — or the nut — standing in for the open strings. C# turns up as a C shape, an A shape, a G shape, an E shape and a D shape: C at fret 1, A at fret 4, G at fret 6, E at fret 9, D at fret 11.
C shapeC# as a C shape: barre at fret 1, fingered x43121.A shapeC# as an A shape: barre at fret 4, fingered x46664.G shapeC# as a G shape: barre at fret 6, fingered 986669.E shapeC# as an E shape: barre at fret 9, fingered 911111099.D shapeC# as a D shape: index finger at fret 11, fingered xx11131413.
Keys C# belongs to
C# is diatonic to 24 of the 96 keys this app knows, playing a different role in each.