C♯5 Chord
How to play C♯ power chord on guitar — just root and 5th — no 3rd, so it sits under distortion without clashing.
- Notes
- C♯ – G♯
- Frets (low → high)
- x 4 6 6 x x
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Shape
- Movable shape at fret 4
How to play C♯5, step by step
- 1Put your index finger on the 4th fret of the A string (5th).
- 2Put your ring finger on the 6th fret of the D string (4th).
- 3Put your little finger on the 6th fret of the G string (3rd).
- 4Leave the low E, B and high E strings out — mute them with the side of a finger, or just avoid them as you strum.
- 5Strum slowly and check every string sounds cleanly; if one buzzes, press closer to the fret wire and arch your fingers so they clear the neighbouring strings.
What makes a power chord chord
Just root and 5th — no 3rd, so it sits under distortion without clashing.
| Note | Interval | Semitones above C♯ |
|---|---|---|
| C♯ | root | 0 |
| G♯ | 5th | 7 |
Other C♯ chords
Same root, different colour. Swapping one of these into a progression is the quickest way to change its mood without changing the key.
Every power chord chord
The same shape moved around the neck. If you can play C♯5 you are a fret-slide away from all of these.
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the C♯5 chord?
- C♯5 is made of C♯, G♯ — the root, 5th of C♯.
- Is C♯5 hard to play?
- No — C♯5 sits at x 4 6 6 x x and is rated easy, so it is comfortable for most beginners.
Got a chart full of chords like C♯5?
Upload a chord sheet and move every chord into a key that fits your hands and your voice — the layout stays exactly as printed. Or let the capo calculator pick the position that turns the barre chords into open ones.