Chords
C# Major flat fifth
C# · E# · G
C# Major flat fifth (C#majb5) is a major chord of 3 notes: C# · E# · G.
Also written C#Mb5
C# Major flat fifth
C# · E# · G
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Voicings on the piano
| Voicing | Notes | Play it on your instrument |
|---|---|---|
| Closed, root position | C#3 · E#3 · G3 |
Tap a key or a fret to hear it.
Anatomy
C# Major flat fifth (C#majb5) contains the notes C# · E# · G, each with a role measured as an interval from the root.
Read on: how triads are built
Inversions
An inversion of C# Major flat fifth puts a chord tone other than C# in the bass; the name after the slash is that bass note.
Where it lives
The keys and the scales C# Major flat fifth belongs to.
In which keys
C# Major flat fifth is diatonic to 3 keys; the numeral is its degree and the label its harmonic function.
Scales that contain it
C# Major flat fifth fits inside these scales, each built on C#.
- C# Neapolitan Major PentatonicC# · E# · F# · G · B
- C# Whole Tone PentatonicC# · E# · G · A · B
- C# Super Locrian PentatonicC# · E · F · G · B
- C# Mystery #1C# · D · E# · G · A · B
- C# Locrian MajorC# · D# · E# · F# · G · A · B
- C# UltralocrianC# · D · E · F · G · A · Bb
- C# OrientalC# · D · E# · F# · G · A# · B
- C# PersianC# · D · E# · F# · G · A · B#
Understanding the C# Major flat fifth chord
Names and symbols
C#majb5 is the chord symbol for C# Major flat fifth; it is also written C#Mb5.
Common questions
- What notes are in the C# Major flat fifth chord?
- The C# Major flat fifth chord contains the notes C# · E# · G: the root C# with the intervals 1P, 3M, 5d stacked above it. Play them together for the chord or one after another for an arpeggio. The lowest note is normally C#, but any chord tone can take the bass in an inversion.
- What intervals make up the C# Major flat fifth chord?
- Measured from C#, the C# Major flat fifth chord stacks the intervals 1P, 3M, 5d. The quality of the third and of the seventh, if there is one, is what gives the chord its character; the rest of the notes colour it. Every interval in the formula links to its own page, with its sound.
- How do I play the C# Major flat fifth chord?
- On guitar the most common C# Major flat fifth shape is x43021, read from the lowest string to the highest; the instrument panel above shows several more with their fingerings. On piano play C#3 · E#3 · G3 with the right hand, or move the root down into the left hand and keep the rest above it. Every shape on this page plays when you press it.