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C Minor Chord

Cm places a minor third (E flat) between C and G. It is i in its own minor key, while the same notes can serve as vi in the relative major.

  • Notes: C-E flat-G
  • Symbol: Cm
  • i in C minor
  • Minor third
Switch chordCm

How to play a C minor chord

Notes: C - Eb - G · symbol Cm

  • Root position

    C - Eb - G
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    Eb - G - C
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    G - C - Eb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does C minor belong?

The three notes come from the C minor scale, so this chord can act as its home base.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In C minorHome
    i

    The resting point of C minor. The major V before it makes the return feel final.

    CmiFmivGVCmi
  • In Eb majorThe relative minor
    vi

    Same notes as Eb major, a darker color. The vi in countless pop songs.

    EbICmviAbIVBbV
  • In Bb majorThe start of ii-V-I
    ii

    The first step of the most common move in jazz, heading to Bb.

    CmiiFVBbI
  • In Ab majorA soft stand-in
    iii

    It shares two notes with Ab, so it can replace the I without leaving home.

    AbICmiiiDbIVEbV

Progressions to try

  • CmFmGCm

    The major V gives this minor-key return a clear pull into Cm.

  • CmAbEbBb

    The bVI and bVII chords keep the loop moving without the strong V-to-i return.

  • EbCmAbBb

    Here Cm is vi in Eb major, a relative-minor turn away from the major tonic.

  • CmFBb

    Cm begins a ii-V-I in Bb major; follow the bass as it reaches the final chord.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with the open x3101x grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent. The x35543 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 0333 is the easiest place to start. The 5333 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play C-E flat-G. Move C up an octave to reach the first inversion, E flat-G-C; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

C is the root, E flat the minor third three semitones above it, and G the fifth seven semitones above it.

  • Root position: C-E flat-G, with C lowest.
  • First inversion: E flat-G-C, written Cm/Eb if E flat is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: G-C-E flat, written Cm/G if G is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does C major differ?

Keep C and G in place, then raise E flat to E. That single change turns Cm into C. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See C for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Cm

    C - Eb - G
    C4

    C minor

  • C

    C - E - G
    C4

    C major

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