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Fm(Minor Chord)

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

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

🎹 Fm on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the Fm chord.

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

🎸 Fm on Guitar

The Fm chord uses notes F, G#, C. 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 F
RootRoot (R)0F
3rdMinor 3rd (♭3)3G#
5thPerfect 5th7C

About the F Minor Chord

The Fm chord (F Minor) consists of 3 notes: F, G#, C. 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 F: the notes land on F, G#, C.

Playing Fm on Piano

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

Common Chord Progressions Using Fm

  • I–IV–V: Fm – A#m – Cm (blues and rock)
  • I–V–vi–IV: Fm – C – Dm – A# (pop staple)
  • I–vi–IV–V: Fm – Dm – A# – C (50s progression)

The Fm Chord in Context

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

Other F Chords

F
Major
F7
Dominant 7th
Fmaj7
Major 7th
Fm7
Minor 7th
Fdim
Diminished
Faug
Augmented

Minor Chord in All 12 Keys

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

FAQ

Fm Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Fm chord?
The F Minor chord contains: F, G#, C. These notes are derived by applying the minor interval formula (0–3–7 semitones) to the root note F.
What is the Fm chord used for?
A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third. The Fm chord is used across pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. As the I chord in the key of F major, it functions as the most stable resting point in progressions.
How do you play Fm on piano?
On piano, play F, G#, C simultaneously. In root position, F is the lowest note. Inversions move the bass note up — first inversion has G# lowest, second inversion has C lowest.
How many notes are in a minor chord?
A minor chord has 3 notes: F, G#, C (in F). It is a triad — the most fundamental chord type.
What is the difference between F major and F minor?
The F major chord (F–A–C) uses a major third (4 semitones), giving it a bright, happy sound. The F minor chord (F–G#–C) uses a minor third (3 semitones), giving it a darker, emotional sound.
What key does Fm belong to?
Fm naturally serves as the I chord in the key of F major. It also appears as IV in the key of C major, and as V in the key of A# major.
Can I play Fm on ukulele?
Yes. The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The Fm chord notes (F, G#, C) 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 Fm?
In the key of F major, Fm pairs naturally with A# major (IV), C major (V), and Dm (vi). The classic I–IV–V (Fm–A#–C) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.
What is a chord inversion of Fm?
An inversion places a non-root note in the bass. Fm root position: F in bass. First inversion: G# in bass. Second inversion: C 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 Fm: start on F, add 3 semitones, then 7 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any minor chord.