Also written Fm or Fmin
F minor is built from F, A♭, and C. This beginner shape uses three fingers and one open string.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
F minor is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5. The minor 3rd between F and A♭ gives the chord its dark quality. Raising that A♭ to A♮ produces F major.
F minor is the vi chord in A♭ major, appearing in progressions like A♭–E♭–F minor–D♭ (I–V–vi–IV). It suits jazz and R&B ballads. Pair it with A♭ major or D♭ major.
The default Fmin/C inversion places C in the bass for a less grounded sound. The 3rd fret voicing at 5-5-4-3 puts F in the bass and is more stable.
F minor is played in open position as 1 0 1 3: index finger on the G string at fret 1, middle finger on the E string at fret 1 and ring finger on the A string at fret 3. The C string rings open.
Tip — The ring finger must reach fret 3 on the A string without muting the E string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | A♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (5) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 2 | F (1) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (5) |
F minor is played at the 3rd fret as 5 5 4 3: ring finger on the G string at fret 5, pinky finger on the C string at fret 5, middle finger on the E string at fret 4 and index finger on the A string at fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 3 | C (5) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 4 | F (1) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 2 | A♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 1 | C (5) |
F minor is played at the 8th fret as 10 8 8 8: barre your index finger across fret 8 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 4 | F (1) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 1 (barre) | A♭ (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 1 (barre) | C (5) |
| 1 (A) | 8 | 1 (barre) | F (1) |
F minor is played at the 3rd fret as × 5 4 3: ring finger on the C string at fret 5, middle finger on the E string at fret 4 and index finger on the A string at fret 3. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 3 | F (1) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 2 | A♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 1 | C (5) |
F minor is written Fm, Fmin, F−, or Fmi.
The open C string sounds C, which is the fifth of the chord. It is a chord tone, so it belongs in the voicing.
F minor lowers the third from A to A♭. That single semitone changes the chord from bright to dark.