The F minor chord has a special sound. It’s made up of just three notes: F, Ab and C. Together these notes create a mysterious, beautiful mood that you’ll love exploring on the piano. Skoove is here to help you understand this chord. We will look at all of its inversions and which fingers to use for each. We will also take a look at some common chord progression and some great songs that use a F minor so you can master it in no time. Let’s get started!
How to play the F minor chord in root position
To play it, start by finding the note F, that’s the white key just before the group of three black keys. Once you’ve found it, add A flat and C and you’ve got the F minor chord.
The F minor chord consists of three notes: F, Ab and C. These notes together create a sombre and interesting sound.
To play this chord in its root position (basic form) with your right hand, use these fingers:
- C – Fifth finger (5)
- Ab – Third finger (3)
- F – Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use the following fingers:
- C – Thumb (1)
- Ab – Third finger (3)
- F – Fifth finger (5)
What are the inversions of the F minor chord?
The inversions of the F minor triad are made by mixing the order in which the notes are put on top of each other.
Chord inversions allow you to play the same chord with a different sound and control how you hear each note of the chord.
How to play F minor first inversion?
To play the first inversion of the F min piano chord, start with Ab as the lowest note. Next, play C above it and finally add F as the top note. This gives the chord a fresh sound that’s great for making variation in chord progressions.
For the right hand, use these fingers:
- F – Fifth finger (5)
- C – Second finger (2)
- Ab – Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use these fingers:
- F – Thumb (1)
- C – Third finger (3)
- Ab – Fifth finger (5)
How to play F minor second inversion?
To play the second inversion of the F minor piano chord, start with C as the lowest note. Then play F above it and finally add Ab as the highest note. This inversion gives the chord a different effect and can be used to make chord transitions more fun.
For the right hand, use these fingers:
- Ab – Fifth finger (5)
- F – Middle finger (3)
- C – Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use these fingers:
- Ab – Thumb (1)
- F – Second finger (2)
- C – Fifth finger (5)
Common chord progressions in the key of F minor
The F minor chord progression is used in lots of genres, from rock and pop to jazz and classical. An F minor chord progression often uses chords like Fm, C, Bbm and Db. Here are some popular F minor chord progressions:
- Fm – C – Bbm – Db
- Fm – Db – Bbm – C
- Fm – Bb – C – Fm
- Fm – C – Bb – C
These progressions highlight the versatility of the F minor chord sequence, it can give a range of moods from downbeat to rich and emotional. Exercises like this are a great way to put your knowledge of piano chords to the test. To understand these chord symbols and how to play them, check out Skoove’s tailor-made beginner chord progression courses where you can explore more chords like F#m piano chord and how it differs from F natural minor.
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.
