Hey Friend,
The IIIm chord in the key of A major is C# minor. Since we can easily figure out which notes combined create the C# minor by looking at the A major scale, let's list that out.
The A major scale:
A B C# D E F# G#
C# minor starts with a C# note, which is the first scale degree or 1 note. Starting there, count over two notes for the 3 note (E) and then another two for the 5 note (G#). That gives us C# minor.
Technically, the C# minor chord is constructed from the C# major scale using the 1 3 5 notes from the scale. The scale is:
C# D# E# F# G# A# B# C#
Whew, that's ugly! How would you like to work in that scale all the time?
A minor chord uses the 1 3m 5 notes, so you take the C#, E# and G# notes. The 3 note gets flattened to make it a minor third note, so that changes to E. C# E G#
One of the easiest shapes you can use to play C# minor is at the fourth fret. Place your index finger on the first string, fourth fret. Middle finger goes on the second string, fifth fret. Finally, place your ring finger on the third string, sixth fret. Take a look at the exercise and play through it.
That shape is easy, but I still find myself relying on the barre chord version more so than this form. I guess that's because I'm usually playing something that requires a bunch of crunch and a barre or power chord just sounds better. All depends on what you're doing.
The exercise today shifts between the C# major and C# minor chords so you can train your ears to recognize the major and minor forms. It also gives you some practice changing shapes in the same position. C# Minor PDF C# Minor MP3
Today's lesson should be pretty easy on you. Tomorrow, there'll be a dozen or so different positions to play C# minor. See you then.
Peace~
Dave
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