Tools / Chords / C minor

C minor chord on bass (Cm)

Also written Cm or Cmin

C minor contains the notes C, E♭, and G. This open-position shape is a beginner-friendly three-string voicing with a muted low E.

Open×-3-1-0

Positions on the neck1 of 4

How it’s built

C1Root

E♭♭3Minor 3rd

G5Perfect 5th

Formula 1, ♭3, 5

Positions on the neck1 of 4

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionC–E♭–GCmBass C

First inversionE♭–G–CCm/E♭Bass E♭

Second inversionG–C–E♭Cm/GBass G

Why it sounds like that

C minor is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, with the ♭3 (E♭) giving it its minor quality. The interval from C to E♭ is a minor 3rd, and from C to G is a perfect 5th. Compared to C major, the third is lowered by one semitone.

What goes wrong with C minor?

Letting the low E string ring, which adds a non-chord tone.
Pressing the index finger too far from the fret, causing the 2nd string to buzz.
Flattening the middle finger onto the 2nd string and muting it.

When to use it

C minor is the vi chord in E♭ major, appearing in progressions like E♭–B♭–Cm–A♭ (I–V–vi–IV). C minor suits ballads, jazz, and blues where a flat-key minor adds depth.

Changing to and from C minor

Move to B♭ minor by sliding the shape down two frets to the 6th fret.
Move to C♯ minor by sliding the shape up one fret to the 9th fret.

Which voicing to use

The open position puts the root C in the bass, giving a solid, centered sound. For a lighter feel, use the Cmin/G inversion, which places the fifth G in the bass and softens the chord's attack.

How do you play a C minor chord on bass?

Open

Beginner● On the diagram

C minor is played in open position as × 3 1 0: middle finger on the A string at fret 3 and index finger on the D string at fret 1. The G string rings open. The E string stays muted.

Tip — The muted low E string requires the fretting hand to rest lightly on it while the other fingers fret cleanly.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	muted	—	—
3 (A)	3	2	C (1)
2 (D)	1	1	E♭ (♭3)
1 (G)	open	—	G (5)

8th fret

Intermediate

C minor is played at the 8th fret as 8 10 10 8: index finger on the E string at fret 8, ring finger on the A string at fret 10, pinky finger on the D string at fret 10 and middle finger on the G string at fret 8.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	8	1	C (1)
3 (A)	10	3	G (5)
2 (D)	10	4	C (1)
1 (G)	8	2	E♭ (♭3)

Cmin/E♭ inversion

Intermediate

C minor is played at the 10th fret as 11 10 10 12: ring finger on the E string at fret 11, index finger on the A string at fret 10, middle finger on the D string at fret 10 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 12.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	11	3	E♭ (♭3)
3 (A)	10	1	G (5)
2 (D)	10	2	C (1)
1 (G)	12	4	G (5)

Cmin/G inversion

Beginner

C minor is played in open position as 3 3 1 0: middle finger on the E string at fret 3, ring finger on the A string at fret 3 and index finger on the D string at fret 1. The G string rings open.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	3	2	G (5)
3 (A)	3	3	C (1)
2 (D)	1	1	E♭ (♭3)
1 (G)	open	—	G (5)

Common questions

How does C minor differ from C major?

C minor lowers the third from E to E♭, changing the chord's quality from bright to somber. The fifth and root remain the same.

What scales work over C minor?

C natural minor and C minor pentatonic are the most direct choices. The blues scale adds a ♭5 for a grittier sound.

Can I play C minor with a barre?

The open-position shape uses individual fingers, not a barre. The Cmin/G inversion at the 3rd fret is also beginner-friendly.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

muted

—

3 (A)

C (1)

2 (D)

E♭ (♭3)

1 (G)

open

—

G (5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

C (1)

3 (A)

G (5)

2 (D)

C (1)

1 (G)

E♭ (♭3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

E♭ (♭3)

3 (A)

G (5)

2 (D)

C (1)

1 (G)

G (5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

G (5)

3 (A)

C (1)

2 (D)

E♭ (♭3)

1 (G)

open

—

G (5)