C# minor scale

The notes of the C# minor scale on a piano, the chords that belong to it, and how it sounds. Press play to hear it, tap a key or a chord, and download the scale as MIDI.

Free
No account
Runs in your browser
All twelve keys
MIDI download

C#1D#2Eb3F#4G#5Ab6Bb7

Steps: W H W W H W W (W = whole step, H = half step)

Chords in C# minor

Each chord on its own page: C#m · D#dim · E · F#m · G#m · A · B

Tap a chord to hear it. For progressions you can play and download, see chord progressions in C# minor.

How C# minor sounds

Darker and more serious than major. This is the natural minor scale, also called the Aeolian mode.

Used in: Most house, techno, trance, drum and bass, trap and pop ballads.

On the Camelot wheel, C# minor is 12A.

Same notes, different root: E major, F# Dorian, G# Phrygian, A Lydian, B Mixolydian.

For the low end: the root of C# minor is C# and the fifth is G#. A kick or 808 tuned to one of them sits with the bass; the kick drum tuning chart has the frequencies.

Write chords in this scale with the chord progression generator, or a melody in the synth.

Other minor scales

Play this scale with VISIONS OF TOMORROW →71 Serum 2 presets for house and techno: leads, pads, plucks, keys and basses to write in any scale. $29.

Or start with the free pack: 24 sounds from all three packs, and a 25% code for the full packs a few days later.

Questions

What notes are in the C# minor scale?

C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B.

What chords are in C# minor?

C#m, D#dim, E, F#m, G#m, A, B.

What is the formula for the minor scale?

1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7, or in steps: W H W W H W W (W is a whole step, H a half step).

Which scales have the same notes as C# minor?

E major, F# Dorian, G# Phrygian, A Lydian, B Mixolydian. They use the same seven notes, starting from a different root.

What is C# minor on the Camelot wheel?

12A.