Love Theme from The Godfather in C#

Nino Rota / Larry Kusik / Gianni Boncompagni(1972)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
F♯m/C♯
C♯m/E
C♯m/G♯
G♯7sus4
B7/D♯
D/F♯
F♯m/A
F♯m/C♯
C♯m/E
C♯m/G♯
G♯7sus4

Chord Diagrams — Love Theme from The Godfather in C# (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
C♯m
EADGBEx4213x
4frEADGBE1113426frEADGBE1132x49frEADGBE111134
F♯m/C♯
4frEADGBE11x342
EADGBE1111345frEADGBExx32419frEADGBE111342
C♯m/E
EADGBEx4213x
4frEADGBE1113426frEADGBE1132x49frEADGBE111134
F♯m
EADGBE111134
4frEADGBE11x3425frEADGBExx32419frEADGBE111342
F♯m6
EADGBE2222x1
4frEADGBE111x327frEADGBE11x3248frEADGBEx2413x
C♯m/G♯
4frEADGBE111342
EADGBEx4213x6frEADGBE1132x49frEADGBE111134
G♯7sus4
EADGBE1122xx
4frEADGBE1111349frEADGBE11x23411frEADGBE111134
G♯7
EADGBE111xx2
4frEADGBE1111326frEADGBE11x32411frEADGBE111134
B7/D♯
EADGBEx2134
EADGBE1111344frEADGBE111xx27frEADGBE111132
B9
EADGBE2222x1
4frEADGBE1114327frEADGBE1113248frEADGBExx2143
E
EADGBE231
2frEADGBExx12434frEADGBE1114327frEADGBE111234
D/F♯
2frEADGBE111432
EADGBExx1325frEADGBE11123410frEADGBE111342
F♯m/A
5frEADGBExx3241
EADGBE1111344frEADGBE11x3429frEADGBE111342
G♯
EADGBE11132x
4frEADGBE1113426frEADGBE11x2438frEADGBE111432

Love Theme from The Godfather in C#

Key of C#

C# major (or Db) sits in barre chord territory across the fretboard. Every chord demands precise barring, but the payoff is a bright, crystalline sound a half step above C that cuts through a band mix. C# is a intermediate-advanced-level key on guitar because no open strings fall within the key naturally, so every chord requires full barre technique. Expect to rely on barre chords throughout, which builds hand strength and unlocks the entire fretboard.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth), C# to G# (descending perfect fourth), G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to B (ascending minor third), B to B (ascending unison), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to D (descending whole step), D to F# (ascending major third), F# to G# (ascending whole step). The root motion by larger intervals (fourths and fifths) gives each chord change a strong, decisive character. When the progression loops, the bass returns from G# to C# by perfect fourth.

Scales for Improvisation

C# major pentatonic works because every note is either a chord tone or a safe passing tone — there are no avoid notes. For soloing, this means you can play freely without clashing. Over dominant seventh chords, C# Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

swing4/4 · 22 bars · Form: AB

Chords: C♯m, F♯m/C♯, C♯m/E, F♯m, F♯m6, C♯m/G♯, G♯7sus4, G♯7, B7/D♯, B9, E, D/F♯, F♯m/A, G♯.

Scales for Improvisation C# bebop minor, C# bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of C#