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F minor chord on bass (Fm)
Also called or 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.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5
How do you play an F minor chord on bass?
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.
Full note and interval 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) |
IntermediateThe stretch between the index finger on the 1st fret and the ring and pinky on the 3rd fret requires comfortable finger independence.
13th fret
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.
Full note and interval 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
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.
Full note and interval 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
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.
Full note and interval 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
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.
Full note and interval 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 | — | — |
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.
Other F chords
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.