C Minor Chord

How to play Cm on guitar

Read the diagrams with the low E string on the left. × means do not play that string, ○ means play it open.

Easier way: there is no open Cm shape, so it is usually played with one of the movable shapes above. With a capo you can use a shape you already know: capo on fret 3 and play the Am shape.

How to play Cm on piano

Play C, E♭, G together. With your right hand, use fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb on C). Your left hand can play C an octave lower for a fuller sound.

Chords in the key of C minor

These seven chords are built from the C minor scale (C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭), so they all sound at home next to Cm.

Common progressions in C minor

• i - VI - III - VII: Cm - A♭ - E♭ - B♭
• i - iv - v - i: Cm - Fm - Gm - Cm
• i - VII - VI - VII: Cm - B♭ - A♭ - B♭

The relative major of C minor is E♭. Both keys use the same notes. On the Camelot wheel, C minor is 5A.

Related chords

• C (C major)
• C7 (C seventh)
• Cmaj7 (C major seventh)
• Cm7 (C minor seventh)
• Csus4 (C suspended fourth)
• All chords in the library

Change this chord into another key with the Chord Transposer, or look up any other chord or scale in the Chord and Scale Finder.