Cm Guitar Chord
Cm is a minor chord. Minor chords sound darker and sadder than major chords. Its notes are C, Eb and G. Below are 2 ways to play it, each with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in Cm
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| C | R | Root |
| Eb | b3 | Minor 3rd |
| G | 5 | Perfect 5th |
Formula: 1–b3–5
Cm chord shapes
Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. In the tab, x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. In the diagrams the top line is the 1st (thinnest) string and the nut is on the left.
A-shape 3fr
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x 3 5 5 4 3
- Fingers
- – 1 3 4 2 1
E-shape 8fr
- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- 8 10 10 8 8 8
- Fingers
- 1 3 4 1 1 1
How to play Cm (easiest shape)
Shape: A-shape 3fr, tab x 3 5 5 4 3 (6th to 1st string).
- 1Lay your index finger (1) flat across the 5th to 1st strings at the 3rd fret (a barre).
- 2Put your middle finger (2) on the 2nd string at the 4th fret.
- 3Put your ring finger (3) on the 4th string at the 5th fret.
- 4Put your pinky (4) on the 3rd string at the 5th fret.
- 5Don't play the 6th string.
- 6Strum down from the 5th string to the 1st string.
Cm: common questions
- What notes are in the Cm chord?
- Cm has 3 notes: C, Eb and G. Counted from the root, that is 1–b3–5.
- Is there an easier way to play Cm?
- The easiest shape on this page is "A-shape 3fr" (x 3 5 5 4 3). Every shape on this page is a barre chord. Barre shapes are movable: keep the same hand shape and slide it along the neck to play this type of chord from other roots.
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