C minor chord (Cm)
The C minor chord (Cm) is a minor triad made of C, E♭ and G: root, minor third and perfect fifth.
It is the i in C minor and the vi in E♭ major; its relative major is E♭ major, and G dominant seventh leads into it as its V7.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play C minor on guitar
There are 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-3-5-5-4-3, barre at fret 3, with C in the bass (fingers x-1-3-4-2-1).
- Voicing 2: 8-10-10-8-8-8, movable E-shape barre chord at fret 8, with C in the bass.
Notes of the C minor chord on the fretboard
C minor has 3 notes: C, E♭ and G. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): G (3) · C (8) · E♭ (11)
- String 5 (A): C (3) · E♭ (6) · G (10)
- String 4 (D): E♭ (1) · G (5) · C (10)
- String 3 (G): G (0) · C (5) · E♭ (8) · G (12)
- String 2 (B): C (1) · E♭ (4) · G (8)
- String 1 (E): G (3) · C (8) · E♭ (11)
Formula and intervals of C minor
Its formula is 1-♭3-5; in semitones from the root, 0-3-7.
- C: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- E♭: Minor third (m3), 3 semitones above C
- G: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above C
C minor on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 0-3-3-3; it sounds G, E♭, G and C.
C minor on piano
- Keys: C4, E♭4 and G4.
Inversions of C minor
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: C, E♭ and G, with C in the bass.
- First inversion (Cm/E♭): E♭, G and C, with E♭ in the bass.
- Second inversion (Cm/G): G, C and E♭, with G in the bass.
Keys that use C minor
C minor appears in 6 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| B♭ major (2 flats) | ii | Supertonic |
| A♭ major (4 flats) | iii | Mediant |
| E♭ major (3 flats) | vi | Submediant |
| C minor (3 flats) | i | Tonic |
| G minor (2 flats) | iv | Subdominant |
| F minor (4 flats) | v | Dominant |
Progressions with C minor
- Pop progression in E♭ major (I–V–vi–IV): E♭ – B♭ – Cm – A♭
- Pop progression starting on vi in E♭ major (vi–IV–I–V): Cm – A♭ – E♭ – B♭
- Turnaround in E♭ major (I–vi–ii–V): E♭ – Cm – Fm – B♭
- Minor cadence in C minor (i–iv–V7): Cm – Fm – G7
- Minor pop progression in C minor (i–VI–III–VII): Cm – A♭ – E♭ – B♭
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C minor chord?
C, E♭ and G: root, minor third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-♭3-5.
Which keys use C minor?
Mainly as the i in C minor and the vi in E♭ major. In total it appears in 6 major and minor keys.
What is the relative major of C minor?
E♭ major. C minor and E♭ major are the tonic chords of two relative keys, which share the same key signature and the same scale notes.