C-sharp major

C-sharp major
{ \magnifyStaff #3/2 \omit Score.TimeSignature \key cis \major s16 \clef F \key cis \major s^"" }
Relative keyA-sharp minor
Parallel keyC-sharp minor
Dominant keyG-sharp major (theoretical)
→enharmonic : A-flat major
SubdominantF-sharp major
EnharmonicD-flat major
Component pitches
C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯

C-sharp major is a major scale based on C♯, consisting of the pitches C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A♯, and B♯. Its key signature has seven sharps. Its relative minor is A-sharp minor (or enharmonically B-flat minor), its parallel minor is C-sharp minor, and its enharmonic equivalence is D-flat major.

The C-sharp major scale is:

{ \omit Score.TimeSignature \relative c' { \key cis \major \time 7/4 cis dis eis fis gis ais bis cis bis ais gis fis eis dis cis2 \clef F \key cis \major } }

A harp tuned to C-sharp major has all its pedals in the bottom position. Because all the strings are then pinched and shortened, this is the least resonant key for the instrument.

Scale degree chords

The scale degree chords of C-sharp major are:

Compositions

Most composers prefer to use the enharmonic equivalent D-flat major since it contains five flats as opposed to C-sharp major's seven sharps. However, Johann Sebastian Bach chose C-sharp major for Prelude and Fugue No. 3 in both books of The Well-Tempered Clavier. In Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6, Franz Liszt takes the unusual step of changing the key from D-flat major to C-sharp major near the start of the piece, and then back again to B-flat minor. Maurice Ravel selected C-sharp major as the tonic key of "Ondine" from his piano suite Gaspard de la nuit. Erich Wolfgang Korngold composed his Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, Op. 17, in C-sharp.

The Allegro de concierto by Spanish composer Enrique Granados is written in C-sharp major. Canadian composer and pianist Frank Mills originally wrote and performed his instrumental hit "Music Box Dancer" in C-sharp major; however, most modern piano editions have the piece written in C major.

Louis Vierne used C-sharp major for the "Dona nobis pacem" of the Agnus Dei of his Messe solennelle in C-sharp minor.

Further reading

  • Lester, Joel (Spring 1978). "The Recognition of Major and Minor Keys in German Theory: 1680–1730". Journal of Music Theory. 22 (1). Duke University Press: 65–103. doi:10.2307/843628. JSTOR 843628.