The short version
- Cm is C minor. Its notes are C, E♭ and G (formula 1 – ♭3 – 5).
- Easiest way to play it: a barre on the 3rd fret, frets x 3 5 5 4 3 from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds sad, moody or thoughtful. It’s the home chord of a minor key, and the vi chord that gives a major-key chorus its lump-in-the-throat moment.
- Cm turns up in 6 keys: A♭ major (as the iii), E♭ major (as the vi), B♭ major (as the ii), F minor (as the v) and C minor (as the i), and more in the table below.
- Can’t barre yet? Capo 3 and play an open Am shape.
How to play Cm on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the barre chord, root on the 5th string (3rd fret).
- Lay your index finger flat across fret 3, from the 5th (A) string to the 1st (high E) string. That’s the barre: press near the fret wire and roll the finger slightly onto its side.
- Put your middle finger on fret 4 of the 2nd (B) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 5 of the 4th (D) string.
- Put your little finger on fret 5 of the 3rd (G) string.
- Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
- Strum from the 5th (A) string down, then press Strum on this page to check it sounds the same.
Once that’s comfy, try the other shape. Shape 2 is the barre chord, root on the 6th string (8th fret): 8 10 10 8 8 8. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
No barre? No problem. Pop a capo on the 3rd fret and play the open Am shape: it comes out as Cm. Barre chords take everyone a few weeks. Mine sounded like a kettle for a month.
Notes in the Cm chord
Cm is built from 3 notes. On guitar you’ll often play some of them twice, on different strings. That’s normal; the chord is still Cm.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| C | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| E♭ | ♭3 minor third | Makes it minor (sad). |
| G | 5 perfect fifth | Adds weight; often the first note left out. |
What Cm sounds like, and when to use it
One note different from the major chord: the third drops a semitone, and suddenly everyone is staring out of a rainy train window. It’s the home chord of a minor key, and the vi chord that gives a major-key chorus its lump-in-the-throat moment.
What key is Cm in?
Cm turns up in 6 keys: A♭ major (as the iii), E♭ major (as the vi), B♭ major (as the ii), F minor (as the v) and C minor (as the i), and more in the table below. Tap a key to see the rest of its chords on the circle of fifths.
| Key | Numeral | Spelled as |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ major | iii | Cm |
| E♭ major | vi | Cm |
| B♭ major | ii | Cm |
| F minor | v | Cm |
| C minor | i | Cm |
| G minor | iv | Cm |
Chords that go with Cm
Here’s a progression to try: Cm – A♭ – E♭ – B♭ (i–VI–III–VII), the moody-anthem progression, all minor-key drama.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using Cm in a Suno prompt
Suno pays attention to chord names in a style prompt, at least some of the time. Put the progression in, keep the BPM, and let it fill in the rest. Then compare its guitar part with the shapes above.
Indie folk, 78 BPM, chord progression Cm – A♭ – E♭ – B♭, fingerpicked acoustic guitar, soft strings, intimate female vocals, melancholic and reflective
Cm chord FAQ
What notes are in the Cm chord?
Cm has 3 notes: C (the root), E♭ (the minor third) and G (the perfect fifth). The chord formula is 1 – ♭3 – 5.
How do you play Cm on guitar?
The medium way is barre chord, root on the 5th string (3rd fret). Strings from low E to high E: x 3 5 5 4 3 (x means don’t play that string). Lay your index finger flat across fret 3, from the 5th (A) string to the 1st (high E) string. That’s the barre: press near the fret wire and roll the finger slightly onto its side. Put your middle finger on fret 4 of the 2nd (B) string. Put your ring finger on fret 5 of the 4th (D) string. Put your little finger on fret 5 of the 3rd (G) string. Don’t play the low E string: skip it, or touch it lightly with a spare finger so it can’t ring.
What does the “m” in Cm mean?
It tells you the chord type: Cm is C minor. One note different from the major chord: the third drops a semitone, and suddenly everyone is staring out of a rainy train window.
What key is Cm in?
Cm turns up in 6 keys: A♭ major (as the iii), E♭ major (as the vi), B♭ major (as the ii), F minor (as the v) and C minor (as the i), and more in the table below. Major keys: A♭ major, E♭ major, B♭ major. Minor keys: F minor, C minor, G minor.
What is the difference between Cm and C?
Cm has a minor third (E♭); C raises it a semitone to E. Same root, same fifth, opposite mood.
How can I play Cm without a barre?
Use a capo. Put it on the 3rd fret and play the open Am shape. It sounds as Cm. You can also play just the top three or four strings of the barre shape.
Other minor chords
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