C-sharp major: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Musical scale and key signature}}

'''C# major''' is a [[major scale]] based on C#, consisting of the pitches '''C#''', D#, '''E#''', F#, '''G#''', A#, B# (enharmonic to C natural) and '''C#'''. Its [[key signature]] consists of seven sharps.

{{No footnotes|date=April 2024}}

{{Infobox musical scale

| name=C-sharp major<score>{ \magnifyStaff #3/2 \omit Score.TimeSignature \key cis \major s16 \clef F \key cis \major s^"" }</score>

| relative=[[A-sharp minor]]

| parallel=[[C-sharp minor]]

| dominant=[[G-sharp major]] (theoretical)<br>→[[Enharmonic key|enharmonic]] : [[A-flat major]]

| subdominant=[[F-sharp major]]

| enharmonic=[[D-flat major]]

| first_pitch=C{{music|sharp}}

| second_pitch=D{{music|sharp}}

| third_pitch=E{{music|sharp}}

| fourth_pitch=F{{music|sharp}}

| fifth_pitch=G{{music|sharp}}

| sixth_pitch=A{{music|sharp}}

| seventh_pitch=B{{music|sharp}}

}}

'''C-sharp major''' is a [[major scale]] based on [[C♯ (musical note)|C{{music|sharp}}]], consisting of the pitches C{{music|sharp}}, [[D♯ (musical note)|D{{music|sharp}}]], [[E♯ (musical note)|E{{music|sharp}}]], [[F♯ (musical note)|F{{music|sharp}}]], [[G♯ (musical note)|G{{music|sharp}}]], [[A♯ (musical note)|A{{music|sharp}}]], and [[C (musical note)|B{{music|sharp}}]]. Its [[key signature]] has seven [[Sharp (music)|sharps]]. Its [[relative key|relative minor]] is [[A-sharp minor]] (or [[Enharmonic|enharmonically]] [[B-flat minor]]), its [[parallel key|parallel minor]] is [[C-sharp minor]], and its [[enharmonic equivalence|enharmonic equivalent]] is [[D-flat major]].

The C-sharp major scale is:

[[Image:C-sharp Major key signature.png|Key signature of C-sharp Major]]

{{block indent|<score sound raw>

[[Image:C-sharp Major Scale.PNG|700px|Ascending and descending C-sharp Major Scale]]

\header { tagline = ##f }

scale = \relative b { \key cis \major \omit Score.TimeSignature

cis^"C♯ natural major scale" dis eis fis gis ais bis cis bis ais gis fis eis dis cis2 \clef F \key cis \major }

\score { { << \cadenzaOn \scale \context NoteNames \scale >> } \layout { } \midi { } }

</score>}}

Changes needed for the melodic and harmonic versions of the scale are written in with accidentals as necessary. The C-sharp [[Harmonic major scale|harmonic major]] and [[Melodic major scale|melodic major scales]] are:

Its [[relative key|relative minor]] is [[A-sharp minor]], and its [[parallel key|parallel minor]] is [[C-sharp minor]]. Its enharmonic equivalent is [[D-flat major]].

{{block indent|<score sound raw>

A [[harp]] tuned to C-sharp major has all its pedals in the bottom position.

\header { tagline = ##f }

scale = \relative b { \key cis \major \omit Score.TimeSignature

cis^"C♯ harmonic major scale" dis eis fis gis a bis cis bis a gis fis eis dis cis2 }

\score { { << \cadenzaOn \scale \context NoteNames \scale >> } \layout { } \midi { } }

</score>}}

{{block indent|<score sound raw>

\header { tagline = ##f }

scale = \relative b { \key cis \major \omit Score.TimeSignature

cis^"C♯ melodic major scale (ascending and descending)" dis eis fis gis ais bis cis b a gis fis eis dis cis2 }

\score { { << \cadenzaOn \scale \context NoteNames \scale >> } \layout { } \midi { } }

</score>}}

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.

Although most composers prefer to use the enharmonic equivalent D-flat major because it has just five flats as opposed to the seven sharps of C-sharp major, [[Johann Sebastian Bach]] actually chose C-sharp major for Prelude and Fugue No. 3 in both books of the ''[[Well-Tempered Clavier]]''.

== Scale degree chords ==

The [[scale degree]] chords of C-sharp major are:

* [[Tonic (music)|Tonic]] – C-sharp major

* [[Supertonic]] – [[D-sharp minor]]

* [[Mediant]] – [[E-sharp minor]]

* [[Subdominant]] – [[F-sharp major]]

* [[Dominant (music)|Dominant]] – [[G-sharp major]]

* [[Submediant]] – [[A-sharp minor]]

* [[Leading-tone]] – [[Diminished triad|B-sharp diminished]]

==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 (Korngold)|Piano Concerto for the Left Hand]], Op. 17, in C-sharp major.

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 (Vierne)|Messe solennelle]]'' in [[C-sharp minor]].

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==References==

{{Reflist}}

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==Further reading==

* {{cite journal|last=Lester|first=Joel|title=The Recognition of Major and Minor Keys in German Theory: 1680–1730|journal=[[Journal of Music Theory]]|publisher=[[Duke University Press]]|volume=22|number=1|date=Spring 1978|pages=65–103|doi=10.2307/843628|jstor=843628|ref=none}}

==External links==

* [http://www.cisdur.de/e_cisdur.html List of compositions in C-sharp major]

{{Circle of fifths}}

[[Category:Musical keys]]

[[Category:Major scales]]

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