Also written Cm7 or Cmin7
C minor 7th is built from C, E♭, G, and B♭. The full barre at the third fret is a movable shape with a dark tone.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C minor 7th uses the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7. The minor 3rd between C and E♭ gives the chord its minor quality, and the minor 7th from C to B♭ adds the seventh. Compare it to C minor, which drops the B♭.
C minor 7th acts as the vi chord in E♭ major, heard in progressions like E♭–B♭–Cm–A♭ (I–V–vi–IV). It fits jazz, R&B, and mellow strumming.
The default voicing has E♭ in the bass, an inversion. For a root-position C minor 7th, use the open voicing 0-0-6-6 with C in the bass.
C minor 7th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 3 3 3: barre your index finger across fret 3.
Tip — The barre at the 3rd fret requires even pressure across all four strings.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 1 (barre) | B♭ (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 1 (barre) | E♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 1 (barre) | C (1) |
C minor 7th is played in open position as 0 0 6 6: index finger on the E string at fret 6 and middle finger on the A string at fret 6. The G and C strings ring open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (1) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 1 | B♭ (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 2 | E♭ (♭3) |
C minor 7th is played at the 5th fret as 5 7 6 6: index finger on the G string at fret 5, pinky finger on the C string at fret 7, middle finger on the E string at fret 6 and ring finger on the A string at fret 6.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 1 | C (1) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 4 | G (5) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 2 | B♭ (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 3 | E♭ (♭3) |
C minor 7th is played at the 8th fret as 8 10 8 10: index finger on the G string at fret 8, ring finger on the C string at fret 10, middle finger on the E string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 1 | E♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 3 | B♭ (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 2 | C (1) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 4 | G (5) |
C minor 7th is played in open position as 0 3 6 3: index finger on the C string at fret 3, ring finger on the E string at fret 6 and middle finger on the A string at fret 3. The G string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (5) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 1 | E♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 3 | B♭ (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (1) |
C minor 7th is written as Cmin7 or Cm7.
C minor 7th adds the note B♭ to the C minor triad. The extra note creates a more sophisticated, jazzy sound.
Yes, the open voicing 0-0-6-6 uses two open strings and two fretted notes. It is easier for beginners.