Tools / Chords / F minor

F minor chord on bass (Fm)

Also written Fm or Fmin

F minor contains the notes F, A♭, and C. This 1st-fret shape is a movable four-string voicing that suits intermediate players.

1st fret1-3-3-1

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

F1Root

A♭♭3Minor 3rd

C5Perfect 5th

Formula 1, ♭3, 5

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

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

Root positionF–A♭–CFmBass F

First inversionA♭–C–FFm/A♭Bass A♭

Second inversionC–F–A♭Fm/CBass C

Why it sounds like that

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

What goes wrong with F minor?

Letting the middle finger flatten onto the 1st string and mute it.
Pressing the ring finger too far from the fret, causing the 3rd string to buzz.
Striking the strings too hard and losing the clarity of the inner notes.

When to use it

F minor is the vi chord in A♭ major, appearing in progressions like A♭–E♭–Fm–D♭ (I–V–vi–IV). It suits jazz, R&B, and ballads where a flat-key minor adds warmth.

Changing to and from F minor

Move to F♯ minor by sliding the shape up one fret to the 2nd fret.
Move to G minor by sliding the shape up two frets to the 3rd fret.

Which voicing to use

The 1st-fret shape puts the root F in the bass, giving a solid, centered sound. For a lighter feel, use the Fmin/C inversion, which places the fifth C in the bass and softens the chord's attack.

How do you play an F minor chord on bass?

1st fret

Intermediate● On the diagram

F minor is played at the 1st fret as 1 3 3 1: index finger on the E string at fret 1, ring finger on the A string at fret 3, pinky finger on the D string at fret 3 and middle finger on the G string at fret 1.

Tip — The stretch between the index finger on the 1st fret and the ring and pinky on the 3rd fret requires comfortable finger independence.

String-by-string breakdown

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

13th fret

Intermediate

F minor is played at the 13th fret as 13 15 15 13: index finger on the E string at fret 13, ring finger on the A string at fret 15, pinky finger on the D string at fret 15 and middle finger on the G string at fret 13.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	13	1	F (1)
3 (A)	15	3	C (5)
2 (D)	15	4	F (1)
1 (G)	13	2	A♭ (♭3)

Fmin/A♭ inversion

Intermediate

F minor is played at the 3rd fret as 4 3 3 5: ring finger on the E string at fret 4, index finger on the A string at fret 3, middle finger on the D string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 5.

String-by-string breakdown

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

Fmin/C inversion · fret 1

Intermediate

F minor is played at the 1st fret as × 3 3 1: middle finger on the A string at fret 3, ring finger on the D string at fret 3 and index finger on the G string at fret 1. The E string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

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

Fmin/C inversion · fret 6

Intermediate

F minor is played at the 6th fret as 8 8 6 ×: middle finger on the E string at fret 8, ring finger on the A string at fret 8 and index finger on the D string at fret 6. The G string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	8	2	C (5)
3 (A)	8	3	F (1)
2 (D)	6	1	A♭ (♭3)
1 (G)	muted	—	—

Common questions

How does F minor differ from F major?

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

What scales work over F minor?

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

Can I play F minor with a barre?

The 1st-fret shape uses individual fingers, not a barre. The Fmin/C inversion at the 1st fret is easier for beginners.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

F (1)

3 (A)

C (5)

2 (D)

F (1)

1 (G)

A♭ (♭3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

F (1)

3 (A)

C (5)

2 (D)

F (1)

1 (G)

A♭ (♭3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

A♭ (♭3)

3 (A)

C (5)

2 (D)

F (1)

1 (G)

C (5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

muted

—

3 (A)

C (5)

2 (D)

F (1)

1 (G)

A♭ (♭3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

C (5)

3 (A)

F (1)

2 (D)

A♭ (♭3)

1 (G)

muted

—