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Chord · Reference entry

C♯ Power

Power · C♯ – G♯ · intervals P1-P5

The C♯ Power chord (C♯5) contains the notes C♯ and G♯. Its interval formula is R-P5. Just the root and 5th — no 3rd, no major/minor identity, the staple of distorted rock guitar.

D♭ Power
This is the same chord as D♭ Power — the same keys on the keyboard, spelled with flats.

At the keyboard

C# · G#
Flashcards · Chord
Three questions on C♯ Power
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C♯5

The C♯ Power chord is a two-note chord made up of C♯ and G♯. It is built from a root and perfect fifth.

Construction

C♯ Power = Root + Perfect 5th = C♯ · G♯
NoteIntervalDegree
C♯Root1
G♯Perfect 5th5

C♯ Power Inversions

C# Power piano chord, 1st inversion — G♯, C♯
The C# Power chord, 1st inversion, on a piano keyboard.
PositionNotes
Root PositionC♯ – G♯
1st InversionG♯ – C♯
2nd Inversion

Key Signature

A chord has no key signature of its own, but the C♯ Power is the tonic (I) chord of C# Major, whose key signature has 7 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯, B♯).

F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯

Order of sharps

Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.

FCGDAEB

Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle

Chords in the Key of C♯ Major

These are the triads built on each degree of the C♯ major scale:

C1C2C3C4E♯C5C6C7C8C♯G♯
IC♯ Major (major)
DegreeNumeralChordQuality
1IC♯ MajorMajor
2iiD♯ MinorMinor
3iiiF MinorMinor
4IVF♯ MajorMajor
5VG♯ MajorMajor
6viA♯ MinorMinor
7vii°C DiminishedDiminished

C♯ Power — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the C♯ Power chord on piano?
The C♯ Power chord contains the notes C♯ – G♯. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the C# Power chord?
The C# Power chord (C#5) contains 2 notes: C#, G#. Formula: R-P5.
How is C#5 used in music?
C#5 is used in jazz, fusion, and contemporary music to add harmonic color. It appears as a dominant or tonic chord depending on context.
What is the scale degree formula for C#5?
C#5 uses scale degrees 1-5, giving it its distinctive sound.

Related Tools

Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.

References & Further Reading

The note names, intervals, fingering, and harmony on this chord page are grounded in the following sources. Public domain treatises and scores are linked to their full text; primary data is piano.org's own interval-derived reference dataset — continuously maintained and human-verified, with no fixed publication date.

  1. 1

    George Grove (ed.)(1900)

    A Dictionary of Music and Musicians

    Public domain treatise
  2. 2

    Jadassohn, Salomon(1883)

    A Manual of Harmony

    Public domain treatise
  3. 3

    Beethoven, Ludwig van(1802)

    Piano Sonata No. 14 in C♯ minor, Op. 27 No. 2 ("Moonlight"), i

    Public domain score
  4. 4

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Entry reviewed and maintained by Justin Evans. Corrections are read and applied.Report an error

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