C-sharp major

C-sharp major
${ \magnifyStaff #3/2 \omit Score.TimeSignature \key cis \major s16 \clef F \key cis \major s^"" }$
Relative key	A-sharp minor
Parallel key	C-sharp minor
Dominant key	G-sharp major (theoretical); →enharmonic : A-flat major
Subdominant key	F-sharp major
Enharmonic key	D-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.

C-sharp major key signature on different clefs

On four most common clefs

${ \new Staff \with{ \magnifyStaff #3/2 } << \time 4/16 \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f { \clef treble \key cis \major s16 \clef alto \key cis \major s16 \clef tenor \key cis \major s16 \clef bass \key cis \major s16 } >> }$

On four most common clefs (treble, alto, tenor and bass clef) there is well-established standard, how key signatures are written on these keys. C-sharp major key signature is written on these clefs like shown above.

On rare clefs (for example)

${ \new Staff \with{ \magnifyStaff #3/2 } << \time 5/16 \override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f { \clef french \key cis \major s16 \clef soprano \key cis \major s16 \clef mezzosoprano \key cis \major s16 \clef varbaritone \key cis \major s16 \clef subbass \key cis \major s16 } >> }$

On these less common clefs (French, soprano, mezzo-soprano, barione and subbass clef) there is not on well-established standard to write the key signatures on these clefs. C-sharp major key signature can be written on these clefs for example like shown above, like LilyPond does.

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.

External links

List of compositions in C-sharp major