The C minor chord (Cm) is C, E-flat, G. You play it by putting your fingers on those notes all at once and voila! You’ve got a sad sounding chord perfect for moody music, Skoove will show you the easiest finger positions to get started. We will also take a look at some common chord progression and some great songs that use a C minor triad so you can get playing it in no time, no pressure just music!
How to identify the C minor chord on piano
To identify a C minor chord on the piano, you first need to find the root note. This is the bottom note of the chord (so, in this instance, C) The C minor chord has three notes in it. Pay particular attention to the Eb key, which is one of the black notes on a piano and is of course what makes the C minor chord sound different from a C major chord. Be aware of how your hand sits differently when playing the C minor chord, as the middle Eb key is elevated just above the white keys. Eventually you will get used to this just by feeling where the notes are, much in the same way as you can type on a computer keyboard without needing to look at your fingers. Be careful not to overly rely on your eyesight when learning and always remind yourself of the correct hand and sitting position. This will improve your playing when you are looking at sheet music, playing on stage, or communicating with other musicians if playing in a band or orchestra. It is really important to learn how to play the piano by feel, with your hands, instead of only using your eyesight.
How to play the C minor chord in root position?
To play the C minor triad you need three notes: C, Eb, and G. To start find B, the white key just before the two black keys. Then add Eb (a black key) and G.
The C minor chord consists of three notes C, Eb and G.
These notes are called: the root (C), third (Eb) and fifth(G). Together, they create a rich and deep sound.
To play this chord in its root position (basic form) with your right hand, use these fingers:
- G – Fifth finger (5)
- Eb – Third finger (3)
- C – Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use the following fingers:
- G – Thumb (1)
- Eb – Third finger (3)
- C – Fifth finger (5)
What are the inversions of the C minor chord?
The inversions of a chord are made by changing the order the notes are played. Chord inversions let you control how you emphasize each note of the chord.
How to play C minor first inversion?
To play the first inversion of the C minor triad, start with Eb as the first note. Add G above it and finally add C as the high note. This mix up gives Cmin a fresh sound that’s new and great for spicing up chord sequences.
For the right hand, use these fingers:
- C –Fifth finger (5)
- G –Middle finger (3)
- Eb –Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use these fingers:
- C – Thumb (1)
- G – Third finger (3)
- Eb – Fifth finger (5)
How to play C minor second inversion?
For the second inversion of the Cm piano chord, have G as the lowest note. Then play C above it and finally put Eb as the highest note. This gives the chord a different sound and is often used to make chord transitions and choices more interesting.
For the right hand, use these fingers:
- Eb – Fifth finger (5)
- C – Middle finger (3)
- G – Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use these fingers:
- Eb – Thumb (1)
- C – Second finger (2)
- G – Fifth finger (5)
Common chord progression in the key of C minor
C minor chord progressions are used in lots of genres, from rock and pop to jazz and classical music. A Cm chord progression often includes chords like Cm, G, Fm and Ab. Here are some popular C minor chord progressions to get you started:
- Cm – G – Ab – G / I – V – VI – V
- Cm – G – Fm – G / I – V – iv – V
- Cm – Ab – Fm – G / I – VI – iv – V
- Cm – F – Ab – G / I – iv – VI – V
These sequences are a great way to put your new understanding of piano chords into practice. To understand these chord symbols and how to play them, have a look at our tailor-made beginner chord progression courses.
C minor triad: what is the difference between a triad and a chord?
Did you know that all triads are chords, but not all chords are triads? A triad is basically a chord that has only three notes, and these notes must be built in thirds. In this instance, therefore, a C minor triad is exactly the same as a C minor chord. If we start adding other notes to the C minor triad – for instance if we added an extra C at the top, this would no longer be a triad as we now have four notes. Or if we added a B flat to the C minor triad, it would be called a C minor seventh chord and again would no longer be classed as a triad. Chords like the C minor 7th are very commonly used as jazz chords on the piano.
Piano chords generator
💡 If you are reading this from a mobile device, rotate it to display the tool in full width.
1. Click on “Chords”
2. Choose the “Root” of the chord
3. Choose the “Chord qualities” (major, minor, etc.)
4. Click “Display”
Author of this blog post:
Matthew Dickman
With over a decade of experience in music education Matthew holds a BA in Music from Paul McCartney’s LIPA and an MA in Composition from the University of Salford. Mathew has developed a distinctive compositional voice and approach to music theory education through his research and work in the music industry. Matthew’s writing for Skoove combines experience from orchestral and media composition, and as a gigging jazz musician, to create a wholistic and accessible pedagogy for musicians of any level. Away from music, he enjoys reading and exploring nature to expand his horizons and knowledge contributing to his holistic teaching style.
