Minor chords
A minor chord has three notes: the root, minor third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1 b3 5. The root, minor 3rd and 5th. Lowering the 3rd of a major chord a half step makes it minor.
On C it is written Cm, and also Cmin and C-.
Minor chords in every key
| Chord | Notes | Shapes |
|---|---|---|
| Cm | C Eb G | guitar · piano · bass |
| C#m | C# E G# | guitar · piano · bass |
| Dm | D F A | guitar · piano · bass |
| Ebm | Eb Gb Bb | guitar · piano · bass |
| Em | E G B | guitar · piano · bass |
| Fm | F Ab C | guitar · piano · bass |
| F#m | F# A C# | guitar · piano · bass |
| Gm | G Bb D | guitar · piano · bass |
| G#m | G# B D# | guitar · piano · bass |
| Am | A C E | guitar · piano · bass |
| Bbm | Bb Db F | guitar · piano · bass |
| Bm | B D F# | guitar · piano · bass |
Minor compared
| Chord | Symbol | Formula | Notes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor | Cm | 1 b3 5 | C Eb G | |
| Major | C | 1 3 5 | C E G | C and Cm share C and G. C has E, the 3rd, where Cm has Eb, the flat 3rd. |
| Minor 7 | Cm7 | 1 b3 5 b7 | C Eb G Bb | Cm7 is Cm (C, Eb and G) with Bb, the flat 7th, added. |
| Diminished | Cdim | 1 b3 b5 | C Eb Gb | Cdim and Cm share C and Eb. Cdim has Gb, the flat 5th, where Cm has G, the 5th. |
Questions
What is a minor chord?
A minor chord has three notes: the root, minor third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1 b3 5. The root, minor 3rd and 5th. Lowering the 3rd of a major chord a half step makes it minor.
How do you write a minor chord?
On C it is written Cm, and also Cmin and C-.
What is the difference between Cm and C?
Cm and C share C and G. Cm has Eb, the flat 3rd, where C has E, the 3rd.