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Cm(Minor Chord)

A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third.

Notes
C – D# – G
Intervals (semitones)
0 – 3 – 7
Type
Triad

🎹 Cm on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the Cm chord.

R
C(Root (R))
2
D#(Minor 3rd (♭3))
3
G(Perfect 5th)

🎸 Cm on Guitar

The Cm chord uses notes C, D#, G. Build a voicing by finding these notes on any strings — root on the 6th string is a common starting point for barre chord shapes.

Interval Analysis

DegreeInterval NameSemitonesNote in C
RootRoot (R)0C
3rdMinor 3rd (♭3)3D#
5thPerfect 5th7G

About the C Minor Chord

The Cm chord (C Minor) consists of 3 notes: C, D#, G. A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third.

To build any minor chord, apply intervals of 0, 3, 7 semitones above the root. Starting from C: the notes land on C, D#, G.

Playing Cm on Piano

Press C, D#, G simultaneously. In root position, C is lowest. First inversion places D# in the bass for a lighter sound; second inversion uses G as the bass note.

Common Chord Progressions Using Cm

  • I–IV–V: Cm – Fm – Gm (blues and rock)
  • I–V–vi–IV: Cm – G – Am – F (pop staple)
  • I–vi–IV–V: Cm – Am – F – G (50s progression)

The Cm Chord in Context

As a minor chord, Cm is the tonic (I) in the key of C major. It also appears as the IV chord in G major, and as the V chord in F major — making it one of the most important chords across all of Western music.

Other C Chords

C
Major
C7
Dominant 7th
Cmaj7
Major 7th
Cm7
Minor 7th
Cdim
Diminished
Caug
Augmented

Minor Chord in All 12 Keys

CmC#mDmD#mEmFmF#mGmG#mAmA#mBm
🎹 Virtual Piano
Play Cm on piano
🎸 Virtual Guitar
See on the fretboard
🎵 C Scale
Notes that fit Cm
🎶 Songs
Find songs using Cm

FAQ

Cm Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Cm chord?
The C Minor chord contains: C, D#, G. These notes are derived by applying the minor interval formula (0–3–7 semitones) to the root note C.
What is the Cm chord used for?
A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third. The Cm chord is used across pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. As the I chord in the key of C major, it functions as the most stable resting point in progressions.
How do you play Cm on piano?
On piano, play C, D#, G simultaneously. In root position, C is the lowest note. Inversions move the bass note up — first inversion has D# lowest, second inversion has G lowest.
How many notes are in a minor chord?
A minor chord has 3 notes: C, D#, G (in C). It is a triad — the most fundamental chord type.
What is the difference between C major and C minor?
The C major chord (C–E–G) uses a major third (4 semitones), giving it a bright, happy sound. The C minor chord (C–D#–G) uses a minor third (3 semitones), giving it a darker, emotional sound.
What key does Cm belong to?
Cm naturally serves as the I chord in the key of C major. It also appears as IV in the key of G major, and as V in the key of F major.
Can I play Cm on ukulele?
Yes. The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The Cm chord notes (C, D#, G) can be fretted on a ukulele, though the shapes differ from guitar due to the 4-string layout and shorter scale.
What chords go well with Cm?
In the key of C major, Cm pairs naturally with F major (IV), G major (V), and Am (vi). The classic I–IV–V (Cm–F–G) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.
What is a chord inversion of Cm?
An inversion places a non-root note in the bass. Cm root position: C in bass. First inversion: D# in bass. Second inversion: G in bass. Inversions create smoother bass line movement without changing the harmony.
How do I memorize the notes in a minor chord?
Remember the formula: 0–3–7 semitones from root. For Cm: start on C, add 3 semitones, then 7 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any minor chord.