Fm piano chord: How to play the F minor chord on piano?

To play the F minor (Fm) chord, begin by locating the note F, which is the white key immediately to the left of the three black keys. Once you’ve found it, combine F with A-flat and C to create the F minor chord.

F minor notes

The F minor chord consists of three notes: F, Ab and C. These notes together create a melancholic and deep 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)

The inversions of thr F minor chord

The inversions of the F minor piano chord are formed by rearranging the order in which the notes are played. Chord inversions allow you to play the same chord with a different sound and control how you emphasize each note of the chord.

The F minor chord has two inversions:

• Fm first inversion places F at the top of the chord, leaving Ab as the lowest note.
• Fm second inversion places both F and Ab at the top, leaving C as the lowest note.

Let’s break down these inversions further and discover how to play them on piano.

How to play F minor first inversion?

To play the first inversion of the F minor piano chord, start with Ab as the lowest note. Next, play C above it and finally add F as the highest 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 sound and is often used to make chord transitions smoother.

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)

F minor chord progression

The F minor chord progression is widely used in various genres, from rock and pop to jazz and classical music. An F minor chord progression often includes 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 key, offering a range of moods from somber to rich and emotional. They 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.

Play chord progressions

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”

Popular songs to play with the F minor piano chord

All the Things you Are – Frank Sinatra

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Author of this blog post:
Susana Pérez Posada

With over seven years of piano education and a deep passion for music therapy, Susana brings a unique blend of expertise to Skoove. A graduate in Music Therapy from SRH Hochschule Heidelberg and an experienced classical pianist from Universidad EAFIT, she infuses her teaching with a holistic approach that transcends traditional piano lessons. Susana’s writings for Skoove combine her rich musical knowledge with engaging storytelling, enriching the learning experience for pianists of all levels. Away from the piano, she loves exploring new places and immersing herself in a good book, believing these diverse experiences enhance her creative teaching style.