C Sharp Major chord is an ideal chord to begin learning as its easy barre chord makes learning easy. Additionally, this versatile chord can be found in a wide variety of songs and songs alike.
Simply touch the low E string with your index finger to mute it and prevent its string from ringing when strumming. This will also stop it from sounding off when being plucked.
Open Position
As with other major scales, C sharp major is built upon patterns that can be moved up and down the fretboard. Therefore, it is crucial that one become acquainted with all major scale positions since each position outlines a different pattern that can be moved across the fretboard.
Each scale position comes with its own set of fingerings to help your fingers play the associated notes on the fretboard and build finger dexterity and speed while also quickly shifting between scale positions. This can help build dexterity, speed, and enable fast transitioning from one position to the next.
The open position for C sharp major key can be found on the third string at seventh fret. To play this position, place your index finger against this fret while using middle and pinky fingers to play B and D notes with ease. It is an ideal position for beginners as it requires less shifting around than other positions.
1st Position
As with other major scales, C sharp major has five movable CAGED positions that a guitarist can use to play it. Each one requires different fingering techniques and requires practice at moving quickly between frets of strings with your fingertips.
In the first position of c sharp major guitar, your index finger should barricade the fourth fret of the sixth string while your middle finger presses across both second and third strings to form an E shape chord – this will mute out any low E string that might otherwise ring out distractively.
Your other fingers will play the C sharp major scale notes in this first position, as shown in the diagram below with suggested fingering for each position. This will allow you to practice C Sharp major chords as you learn them; additionally, ascending and descending scale movements through all positions is recommended.
2nd Position
C sharp major is one of the most frequently used bar chord voicings for guitar, featuring its lowest root note being C sharp / D flat, also known as an enharmonic note due to sounding like another letter. To master this scale position, start off slowly practicing single octave patterns before expanding them up to double and three octaves as you gain experience.
To play this pattern, press strings 1-5 (E-A) on the 9th fret with an index finger barred on the 10th fret and use your other fingers to form a regular E major chord. It is an ideal chord for beginners as it quickly develops finger dexterity. To increase speed and improve timing when practicing this pattern, practice moving your fingers across the fretboard as you play rhythms then try doing them faster and smoother as time goes on – or use a metronome when practicing!
3rd Position
The viio chord is the subtonic triad in C sharp major. Composed from notes B#, D# and F#, the diminished viio chord represents its root 7th scale degree – thus its name.
To play this chord, bar the 4th fret with your index finger to muffle the low E string from ringing out. Next, press your 2nd finger across all 6th frets of strings 3 and 4, pressing with both hands across all six sixth frets of strings 3, 4 and 5, before placing your fourth finger on string 1’s ninth fret for optimal results. As this chord shape sits higher up the neck than previous examples we’ve covered so far, beginners may find this difficult.
As the C Sharp Major Scale contains seven sharps, it is vital to practice barre chords before taking on this key. We offer a guitar chords chart for this key which includes recommended finger positions on the fretboard as well as diagrams for five CAGED chord shapes.
4th Position
The 4th position of C Sharp Major guitar is an easy one to learn and makes for an excellent starting point. Based on an open E chord shape with your first finger muted from muting the low E string, your other fingers form a standard E major chord with index finger on bass note at fret 15 of string 5, middle finger on 6th fret of string 5 and ring fingers at 6th and 7th fret respectively.
This pattern allows for quick movements up and down your guitar neck; just remember that a sharp (#) is one fret up from a flat ().
Begin playing patterns slowly and precisely rather than quickly and randomly, rather than playing at top speed. This will help develop more fluid hand movement while providing you with an understanding of patterns across the fretboard.
5th Position
The fifth position of the C sharp major scale stands out from other positions by not employing open strings; rather, it relies on A shape chords (commonly referred to as A barres) for creating its pattern up until its next octave. While this might prove challenging for smaller hands, it provides great practice developing your fretboard knowledge.
The A shape is created by placing your index finger on the 4th fret, your middle finger on the 5th, and pinky finger on 6th frets of any scale, moving one octave up until reaching G# on G# note. According to the circle of fifths theory, every major scale contains its respective minor scale with similar notes but differing tonal centers – thus giving rise to this form.
Discover how to connect these scale patterns together in my free Major Scale Lesson Pack! It comes complete with fretboard chart and chord connections for C sharp major.
6th Position
The sixth position of C Sharp Major Guitar comprises the notes C# E# G#. This major triad chord features two interval structures; major third between notes and minor third between second and fourth note. This chord can be played using various fingering and fret configurations.
This chord, referred to as a “C-shape,” can be played using a capo on fret 1 to create an “inverted C” sound. To perform it, place your first finger at the first fret of strings 3 through 2, while shifting your second finger from that fret up one fret on string 1. Mute any low E string as necessary before proceeding further with playing this chord.
Adopting sixth position requires some trial and error to feel comfortable playing it. Be patient as you shift between fourth, fifth and sixth position as part of your practice routine and make sure all pitches have an enjoyable tone quality. Once you feel at ease in sixth position you can expand into different strings or keys with confidence.
7th Position
C# major adds an urgent and mysterious quality to any song, making for a compelling combination. Additionally, its chord progression forms the basis for C#7 chord’s heavy yet sharp sound which portrays urgency and mystery.
C# drop 3 chord is a variation on a closed position C# chord wherein the highest note (the third highest note) has been moved down an octave, making it possible to play diminished chords using a capo on fret 1.
To create this chord, start by barrering the 1st frets of strings 1, 2, and 3 with your index finger while simultaneously muted the low E string. Reach your ring finger over to the 4th fret of string 5 while reaching your middle finger over to string 2’s 6th fret using both fingers – this forms a major 7 chord that you can move up or down your neck freely. To create a C# minor 7 chord simply lower some notes accordingly.
8th Position
Addition of an octave can be challenging in major scale positions as it requires stretching and finger shifting. Begin with using the same basic chord shape from 4th position, adding your index finger at the fifth string’s third fret (B). Next use middle and pinky fingers to play barre across top strings (C and E) then finally your thumb at sixth string seventh fret (D).
This chord, known as an E-shape, is composed of both E and D major shapes when seen from a CAGED perspective. While its initial few frets can present difficulty when creating this shape, once familiar it can easily fit with other major chords that follow it on the neck.
Be sure to practice each individual enclosure pattern until it becomes second nature, then work on connecting them together into a major scale pattern that runs up and down your guitar neck. Best wishes!