How to Play Guitar in the Key of C-Sharp

The key of C# is by far the most uncommon key in guitar-driven music. If you aspire to be a virtuoso, however, you definitely need to know this key well.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Guitar Amplifiers
• Guitar Cables
• Guitar Cases
• Guitar Picks
• Guitar Slide
• Guitar Stands
• Guitar Straps
• Guitars
• Metronome
• Set Of Guitar Strings
• Guitar Music Books
• Sheet Music For Guitar

The C# Chord

1. Review and memorize the names of the strings. Lowest to highest, they are E-A-D-G-B-E.
2. Lay your index finger across the sixth fret, pressing down firmly on all of the strings.
3. Place your middle finger on the eighth fret of the D string.
4. Place your ring finger on the eighth fret of the G string.
5. Place your pinky on the eighth fret of the B string.
6. Strum the chord downward from the lowest strings toward the highest.

The F#, G# and A#-Minor Chords

7. Lay your index finger across all the strings on the second fret firmly to begin the F# chord.
8. Place your middle finger on the third fret of the G string.
9. Place your pinky on the fourth fret of the D string.
10. Place your ring finger on the fourth fret of the A string.
11. Strum the strings downward to play the F# chord.
12. Lay your index finger across all the strings on the fourth fret firmly to begin the G# chord.
13. Place your middle finger on the fifth fret of the G string.
14. Place your pinky on the sixth fret of the D string.
15. Place your ring finger on the sixth fret of the A string.
16. Strum the strings downward to play the G# chord.
17. Lay your index finger across all the strings on the first fret firmly to begin the A#-minor chord.
18. Place your middle finger on the second fret of the B string.
19. Place your ring finger on the third fret of the D string.
20. Place your pinky on the third fret of the G string.
21. Strum the strings downward to play the A#-minor chord.

The Key of C#

22. Freely strum the sequence C#, F#, G#. Disregard tempo and meter for now.
23. Strum each chord four times repeating the sequence of C#, F#, G#.
24. Strum C# four times, F# two times, and G# two times and repeat.
25. Repeat while keeping a steady tempo. Use a metronome if accessible.
26. Strum C# four times, F# two times and G# four times.
27. Strum each chord two times.
28. Strum C# two times, F# two times, A#-minor four times and G# four times.
29. Experiment with your own variations and progressions.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of stretching these three fingers out over the eighth fret, you can bend your ring finger across the eighth fret of the D, G, and B strings.
• It is very important to keep your index finger firmly against the fretboard. All notes should sound out equally and should not get a buzzing sound. You'll need to do this for all the chords of this key.
• If you experience a buzzing sound from the guitar, your fingers may not be pressed down all the way or might be touching the actual frets.
• Don't learn this key first. Practice the keys of G, C, D and A thoroughly before moving on to other keys.