Reflections in C#

Thelonious Monk(1954)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A

Chord Diagrams — Reflections in C# (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
C♯Maj7
EADGBE111x43
4frEADGBE1113246frEADGBE11xxx39frEADGBE1x342x
B7
EADGBEx2134
EADGBE1111344frEADGBE111xx27frEADGBE111132
A♯7
EADGBE111x34
6frEADGBE1111328frEADGBE11x32411frEADGBEx3241x
A9
2frEADGBE431
EADGBE11x325frEADGBE11132411frEADGBE2222x1
D♯m7
EADGBExx1423
6frEADGBE1111327frEADGBExx231411frEADGBE111114
G♯7♭9
EADGBE111x2
4frEADGBE11xx235frEADGBE11xx2310frEADGBE11x234
Em7
EADGBE2
EADGBE114237frEADGBE1111328frEADGBExx2314
Fm7
EADGBE111113
3frEADGBExx14238frEADGBE1111329frEADGBExx2314
A♯13♭9
EADGBE44x12
4frEADGBE11326frEADGBE11123412frEADGBE44x213
Cm7♭5
EADGBEx1324x
4frEADGBE11xx248frEADGBE11123410frEADGBE333xx1
D♯7sus4
EADGBExx1324
4frEADGBE11x2346frEADGBE11113411frEADGBE111134
D7
EADGBExx213
3frEADGBEx3241x5frEADGBE11113410frEADGBE111132
Ddim
EADGBExx1x2
3frEADGBEx41x235frEADGBEx1243x8frEADGBE31x42x
Edim
EADGBExx12x3
5frEADGBEx41x237frEADGBEx1243x10frEADGBE31x42x
Daugadd9add7
Fm7♭5
EADGBE1x23x
EADGBE222xx18frEADGBEx1324x11frEADGBE2134x
A♯7♯11
EADGBEx123
5frEADGBE11123x8frEADGBExx123412frEADGBE11x234
G♯7
EADGBE111xx2
4frEADGBE1111326frEADGBE11x32411frEADGBE111134
C♯7
EADGBEx3241x
4frEADGBE111x346frEADGBE1114329frEADGBE111132
F♯13♯11
F♯ - A♯ - C♯ - E - G♯ - C - D♯
Cm7
EADGBEx2134x
3frEADGBE1111324frEADGBExx23148frEADGBE111113
F♯7♯11
EADGBE111234
4frEADGBExx12348frEADGBE11x2349frEADGBE111x23
F7♯5
EADGBE1234x
3frEADGBExx14238frEADGBE11x43212frEADGBE213x4x
A♯m7
EADGBE111x32
EADGBExx23146frEADGBE1111138frEADGBE11x423
A♯m9
2frEADGBExx2413
4frEADGBE113x246frEADGBE11113411frEADGBEx2134x
D♯7♭9
EADGBExx24
5frEADGBE11x2346frEADGBE11x349frEADGBE3241xx

Reflections 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 B (descending whole step), B to A# (descending half step), A# to A (descending half step), A to D# (ascending tritone), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to E (descending major third), E to F (ascending half step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to D# (ascending minor third), D# to D (descending half step), D to D (ascending unison), D to E (ascending whole step), E to D (descending whole step), D to F (ascending minor third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to G# (descending whole step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to C (ascending tritone), C to F# (ascending tritone), F# to F (descending half step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. 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 D# to C# by whole step.

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 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: C♯Maj7, B7, A♯7, A9, D♯m7, G♯7♭9, Em7, Fm7, A♯13♭9, Cm7♭5, D♯7sus4, D7, Ddim, Edim, Daugadd9add7, Fm7♭5, A♯7♯11, G♯7, C♯7, F♯13♯11, Cm7, F♯7♯11, F7♯5, A♯m7, A♯m9, D♯7♭9.

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

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