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C minor chord on bass (Cm)
Also called or 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.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5
- Root positionC–E♭–GCm×-3-1-0
- First inversionE♭–G–CCm/E♭11-10-10-12
- Second inversionG–C–E♭Cm/G3-3-1-0
How do you play a C minor chord on bass?
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.
Full note and interval 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) |
BeginnerThe muted low E string requires the fretting hand to rest lightly on it while the other fingers fret cleanly.
8th fret
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.
Full note and interval 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
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.
Full note and interval 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
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.
Full note and interval 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) |
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.
Other C chords
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.