What notes are in a C♯6 chord?

C♯6 contains four notes: C♯ (root), E♯ (major third — same pitch as F), G♯ (perfect fifth), and A♯ (major sixth).

Is C♯6 the same as D♭6?

Yes, enharmonically — same four pitches. C♯6 has four sharps (including E♯); D♭6 has three flats plus B♭. D♭6 is the standard practical spelling.

Is C♯6 the same as A♯ minor 7?

Enharmonically the same four pitches but different functions. C♯6 has C♯ as root (major-flavoured tonic); A♯m7 has A♯ as root (minor 7th).

When would I see C♯6 in real music?

In music notated in C♯ major or F♯ major where the surrounding harmony already uses sharps. In jazz lead sheets the chord is universally D♭6.

C# major 6 chord — notes, intervals, and practice

C♯6 — C♯, E♯, G♯, A♯ — is a C♯ major triad with an added major sixth. All four notes are sharps. The chord is enharmonic to D♭6 and is most often written as D♭6 in jazz charts; the C♯ spelling appears inside F♯ major or C♯ major key areas.

Intervals

The C# major 6 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:

C#→E#major 3rd4 semitones
E#→G#minor 3rd3 semitones
G#→A#major 2nd2 semitones

On the keyboard

Each note of the C# major 6 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.

On the guitar

One voicing of the C# major 6 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.

Common mistakes

The third (E♯) is enharmonic to F natural. In jazz lead-sheet practice, the chord is usually written D♭6 to avoid the E♯. The four sharps of C♯6 vs. the three flats + B♭ of D♭6 — same sound, easier reading on the flat side.

In context

C♯6 functions as a softer I chord in C♯ major and as a tonic alternative in F♯ major (where it's the IV chord). The enharmonic D♭6 covers the same harmonic territory in flat-key music.

Drill it

The C# major 6 chord is one of 48 in the Chord Trainer. Open the full trainer to practice it alongside related chords with timing and best-time tracking.

Open the Chord Trainer →Or try today's Etudle puzzle

Frequently asked

What notes are in a C♯6 chord?: C♯6 contains four notes: C♯ (root), E♯ (major third — same pitch as F), G♯ (perfect fifth), and A♯ (major sixth).
Is C♯6 the same as D♭6?: Yes, enharmonically — same four pitches. C♯6 has four sharps (including E♯); D♭6 has three flats plus B♭. D♭6 is the standard practical spelling.
Is C♯6 the same as A♯ minor 7?: Enharmonically the same four pitches but different functions. C♯6 has C♯ as root (major-flavoured tonic); A♯m7 has A♯ as root (minor 7th).
When would I see C♯6 in real music?: In music notated in C♯ major or F♯ major where the surrounding harmony already uses sharps. In jazz lead sheets the chord is universally D♭6.