Guitar chord · Intermediate (barre)
C minor chord (Cm) — guitar chord chart
Cm is a minor chord built on C. Its notes are C, E♭, G. Lowering the 3rd by a half step gives minor chords their darker, more melancholic colour.
Cm chord charts
Numbers = fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little). ○ open string, × don’t play. Low E string on the left.
How to play Cm
- Lay your index finger flat across fret 3, from the 5th string to the 1st string (the barre).
- Ring (3) on the 4th string, fret 5 (G).
- Little finger (4) on the 3rd string, fret 5 (C).
- Middle (2) on the 2nd string, fret 4 (E♭).
- Strum from the 5th string down; don’t play string 6.
- Pick the strings one at a time: each note should ring clearly — if one buzzes, move that finger closer to the fret.
No barre yet? Put a capo on fret 3 and play the open Am shape — it sounds as Cm. Work out other positions with the capo calculator.
Notes in Cm
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | root |
| ♭3 | E♭ | minor 3rd |
| 5 | G | perfect 5th |
Progressions with Cm
Drill these changes with the chord-change trainer and read how to change chords faster.
FAQ
- What notes are in the Cm chord?
- Cm (C minor) has 3 notes: C, E♭, G.
- Is Cm hard to play?
- It’s a barre chord, but with a capo on fret 3 you can use the open Am shape instead. Expect a few weeks of practice for a clean barre.
- What’s the difference between Cm and C?
- C is C E G. Lowering the 3rd by a half step gives minor chords their darker, more melancholic colour.