C Minor Guitar Chord (Cm)

124

Cm

NameC minor
NotesCEbG
IntervalsRrootb3minor 3rd55th

Root

Chord type

  • Space Play
  • Left arrowRight arrow Root
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Shape

Tone

Dots show

Cm is usually played as a barre chord at the 3rd fret, but this version is easier: four strings, three fingers, and the G string rings open in the middle.

How to play the Cm chord

  1. Don't play the low E and A strings.
  2. Put your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the D string (Eb).
  3. Put your 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the B string (C).
  4. Put your 4th finger (pinky) on the 3rd fret of the high E string (G).
  5. Let the G string ring open (G).
  6. Strum from the D string down, skipping the strings above it.

TipKeep your 1st finger arched so the open G string next to it can ring. The full barre version at the 3rd fret is in the shapes below.

4 ways to play Cm

Every shape below is a real Cm, checked note by note: C, Eb, G and nothing else. Easiest first, with the dark dot on the root.

Cm chord diagram, open: x x 1 0 1 3
Open EasyWith sound The one most players learn first. This is the shape you hear on the play button.
Cm chord diagram, barre, 8th fret: 8 10 10 8 8 8
Barre, 8th fret Medium Root on the low E string. It's the open Em shape moved up with your 1st finger as the nut, so you can slide it to any minor chord.
Cm chord diagram, 10th fret: x x 10 12 13 11
10th fret Medium 4 strings, root on the D string. Higher and lighter, great for a second guitar part.
Cm chord diagram, barre, 3rd fret: x 3 5 5 4 3
Barre, 3rd fret Hard Root on the A string. The open Am shape moved up with a barre, a movable shape for any minor chord.

C vs Cm: hear the difference

Only one note changes: Cm has Eb (the minor 3rd), C has E (the major 3rd). Play them back to back:

Cm

CEbG

Darker and sadder

C

CEG

Bright and settled

Chord progressions with Cm

Chords make sense once you move between them. Press play to hear each progression with the real recordings, one chord per bar, then play along. Tap any chord to open its page.

The pop progression, from the minor

vi - IV - I - V in Eb
Cm Ab Eb Bb
Countless songs loop this.

The walk-down

i - bVII - bVI - V in C minor
Cm Bb Ab G
Also called the Andalusian cadence.

Minor key loop

i - iv - V - i in C minor
Cm Fm G Cm
The V is major here, which pulls you home.

Practice changing to Cm

Switching chords cleanly is what makes a new chord usable in a song. Start the timer, then go back and forth between Cm and the chord you picked, strumming each one, and keep a count in your head. Your hands stay on the guitar the whole time. When it beeps, type in your count and try to beat it next time.

Cm to Ab

60seconds

-last try

-your best

Practice Cm with

Songs that use Cm

  • Creep by RadioheadLast chord of G-B-C-Cm
  • Rolling in the Deep by AdeleChorus Cm-Bb-Ab-Bb
  • Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by EurythmicsHome chord, verse Cm-Ab-G
  • Bohemian Rhapsody by QueenVerse Bb-Gm-Cm-F7

Learn it with a teacher

Diagrams show you where your fingers go. A teacher shows you how to make it sound good. Start with these video lessons from the Infinite Guitar library:

The Minor Chord Free with an account · Mike Edwin Introduction To Guitar - Chords Free with an account · Chris Feener Chord Changes for Beginners - Transitions Free with an account · Chris Feener Mastering Bar Chords - Introduction Free with an account · Chris Feener

Access these lessons with a free account. No payment needed. Sign up free

Chords that go with Cm

AbmajorEbmajorBbmajorGmajorFmminor

Other C chords

CmajorC7dominant 7Cmaj7major 7Cm7minor 7C7sus47 suspended 4C6major 6Cm6minor 6C9dominant 9CaugaugmentedCdim7diminished 7

Other minor chords

C#mC# E G#DmD F AEbmEb Gb BbEmE G BFmF Ab CF#mF# A C#GmG Bb DG#mG# B D#AmA C EBbmBb Db FBmB D F#

See all 154 chords in the Guitar Chord Chart

Cm chord FAQ

What notes are in a Cm chord?

Cm has 3 notes: C (the root), Eb (the minor 3rd) and G (the 5th). Every Cm shape on the guitar is those notes in a different order.

What is the difference between C and Cm?

Only one note changes: Cm has Eb (the minor 3rd), C has E (the major 3rd). Use the player above to hear both.

Is Cm hard to play?

No, it's one of the easier ones: 3 fingers and no barre, and the open strings do some of the work. Practice switching to it from a chord you already know.

How do you play Cm as a barre chord?

Barre the 8th fret with your 1st finger, using the E shape (8-10-10-8-8-8). That shape is movable: slide it up or down and it plays a minor chord on every fret.

What key is Cm in?

It's the i chord in C minor, the vi chord in Eb major, the ii chord in Bb major and the iii chord in Ab major.