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F minor chord on guitar

F minor is F, A♭ and C. The easiest way to play it is on the top four strings, written xx3111. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 3rd to 1st strings at the 1st fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 3rd fret. Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

Fm

F minor · F A♭ C · 1 ♭3 5

  • 1st fret

    Root on the 4th string

    3111FA♭CF

    xx3111

  • 1st fret

    Barre chord, root on the 6th string

    134111FCFA♭CF

    133111

  • 8th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 5th string

    8fr13421FCFA♭C

    x-8-10-10-9-8

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 F, the root.

How to play F 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. Root on the 4th string · 1st fret

    xx3111
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 3rd to 1st strings at the 1st fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 3rd fret.
    • Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 6th string · 1st fret

    133111
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across all six strings at the 1st fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 3rd fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 4th string, 3rd fret.

  3. 3. Barre chord, root on the 5th string · 8th fret

    x-8-10-10-9-8
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 8th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 10th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 10th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Notes in the F minor chord

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

Chords that often come after Fm

D♭x46664Fm to D♭ is i to VI, the start of the classic minor loop i–VI–III–VII.B♭mx13321Fm to B♭m is i to iv: darker and heavier, a ballad’s move.E♭x68886Fm to E♭ is i to VII, the step down that rock and film music lean on.

More guitar chords

Other chords on F

FF7Fmaj7Fm7Fsus2Fsus4Fadd9F9F6FdimFm7♭5Fdim7Faug

Minor chords on other notes

CmC♯mDmE♭mEmF♯mGmG♯mAmB♭mBm

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play F minor on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is on the top four strings, written xx3111. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 3rd to 1st strings at the 1st fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 3rd fret. Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.

What notes are in the F minor chord?

F minor is F, A♭ and C. In the shape written xx3111, the 4th to 1st strings play F, A♭, C and F.

Is Fm a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: xx3111 needs no barre. The barre shapes (133111, x-8-10-10-9-8) play it higher up the neck and move to any root.

How many ways can you play Fm on guitar?

This page shows three: xx3111 (1st fret), 133111 (1st fret) and x-8-10-10-9-8 (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 F and Fm on guitar?

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

Can I make a beat with F minor?

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

Make a beat with F minor

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in F minor on Fm D♭ A♭ E♭, starting on Fm. 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

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