F minor chord (Fm)
The F minor chord (Fm) is a minor triad made of F, A♭ and C: root, minor third and perfect fifth.
It is the i in F minor and the vi in A♭ major; its relative major is A♭ major, and C dominant seventh leads into it as its V7.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play F minor on guitar
There are 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: 1-3-3-1-1-1, barre at fret 1, with F in the bass (fingers 1-3-4-1-1-1).
- Voicing 2: x-8-10-10-9-8, barre at fret 8, with F in the bass (fingers x-1-3-4-2-1).
Notes of the F minor chord on the fretboard
F minor has 3 notes: F, A♭ and C. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): F (1) · A♭ (4) · C (8)
- String 5 (A): C (3) · F (8) · A♭ (11)
- String 4 (D): F (3) · A♭ (6) · C (10)
- String 3 (G): A♭ (1) · C (5) · F (10)
- String 2 (B): C (1) · F (6) · A♭ (9)
- String 1 (E): F (1) · A♭ (4) · C (8)
Formula and intervals of F minor
Its formula is 1-♭3-5; in semitones from the root, 0-3-7.
- F: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- A♭: Minor third (m3), 3 semitones above F
- C: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above F
F minor on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 1-0-1-3; it sounds A♭, C, F and C.
F minor on piano
- Keys: F4, A♭4 and C5.
Inversions of F minor
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: F, A♭ and C, with F in the bass.
- First inversion (Fm/A♭): A♭, C and F, with A♭ in the bass.
- Second inversion (Fm/C): C, F and A♭, with C in the bass.
Keys that use F minor
F minor appears in 6 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| E♭ major (3 flats) | ii | Supertonic |
| D♭ major (5 flats) | iii | Mediant |
| A♭ major (4 flats) | vi | Submediant |
| F minor (4 flats) | i | Tonic |
| C minor (3 flats) | iv | Subdominant |
| B♭ minor (5 flats) | v | Dominant |
Progressions with F minor
- Pop progression in A♭ major (I–V–vi–IV): A♭ – E♭ – Fm – D♭
- Pop progression starting on vi in A♭ major (vi–IV–I–V): Fm – D♭ – A♭ – E♭
- Turnaround in A♭ major (I–vi–ii–V): A♭ – Fm – B♭m – E♭
- Minor cadence in F minor (i–iv–V7): Fm – B♭m – C7
- Minor pop progression in F minor (i–VI–III–VII): Fm – D♭ – A♭ – E♭
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F minor chord?
F, A♭ and C: root, minor third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-♭3-5.
Which keys use F minor?
Mainly as the i in F minor and the vi in A♭ major. In total it appears in 6 major and minor keys.
What is the relative major of F minor?
A♭ major. F minor and A♭ major are the tonic chords of two relative keys, which share the same key signature and the same scale notes.