Skip to content

C minor chord on guitar

C minor is C, E♭ and G. It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 3rd fret, written x35543. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 3rd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 4th fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 5th fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 5th fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Cm

C minor · C E♭ G · 1 ♭3 5

  • 3rd fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    3fr13421CGCE♭G

    x35543

  • 8th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 6th string

    8fr134111CGCE♭GC

    8-10-10-8-8-8

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are C, the root.

How to play C minor

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 3rd fret

    x35543
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 3rd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 4th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 5th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 5th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 6th string · 8th fret

    8-10-10-8-8-8
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across all six strings at the 8th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 10th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 4th string, 10th fret.

Notes in the C minor chord

C minor is C, E♭ and G, and it sounds darker and softer than major, the sad or serious colour. From C, count 3 half steps up to E♭ and 4 more to G. Its formula is 1 ♭3 5. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with C lowest. See its inversions and keys on the C minor piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Cm

A♭466544Cm to A♭ is i to VI, the start of the classic minor loop i–VI–III–VII.Fmxx3111Cm to Fm is i to iv: darker and heavier, a ballad’s move.B♭x13331Cm to B♭ is i to VII, the step down that rock and film music lean on.

More guitar chords

Other chords on C

CC7Cmaj7Cm7Csus2Csus4Cadd9C9C6CdimCm7♭5Cdim7Caug

Minor chords on other notes

C♯mDmE♭mEmFmF♯mGmG♯mAmB♭mBm

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play C minor on guitar?

It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 3rd fret, written x35543. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 3rd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 4th fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 5th fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 5th fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the C minor chord?

C minor is C, E♭ and G. In the shape written x35543, the 5th to 1st strings play C, G, C, E♭ and G.

Is Cm a barre chord?

Usually, yes: it has no open shape. The barre at the 3rd fret (x35543) is the one most players use; the same shape moved to another fret plays another root.

How many ways can you play Cm on guitar?

This page shows two: x35543 (3rd fret) and 8-10-10-8-8-8 (8th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

What is the difference between C and Cm on guitar?

One note, the third. C major is C E G and C minor is C E♭ G: E♭ is a half step below E. In the barre shapes, that is one string's note moving down a fret.

Can I make a beat with C minor?

Yes. “Make a beat with this chord” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C minor on Cm A♭ E♭ B♭, starting on Cm. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat with C minor

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C minor on Cm A♭ E♭ B♭, starting on Cm. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat with this chordAll guitar chords

Keep going