To play the C minor (Cm) chord, begin by locating the note C, which is the white key immediately to the left of the two black keys. Once you’ve found it, combine C with E-flat and G to create the C minor chord.
C minor notes
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 melancholic 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)
The inversions of C minor chord
The inversions of the C 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 C minor chord has two inversions:
- C minor first inversion places C at the top of the chord, leaving Eb as the lowest note.
- C minor second inversion places both C and Eb at the top, leaving G as the lowest note.
Let’s break down these inversions further and discover how to play them on piano.
How to play C minor first inversion?
To play the first inversion of the C minor piano chord, start with Eb as the lowest note. Next, play G above it and finally add C as the highest note. This gives the chord a fresh sound that’s great for smooth transitions between chords.
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?
To play the second inversion of the C minor piano chord, start with G as the lowest note. Then play C above it and finally add Eb as the highest note. This inversion 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)
C minor chord progression
The C minor chord progression is widely used in various 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:
- Cm – G – Ab – G
- Cm – G – Fm – G
- Cm – Ab – Fm – G
- Cm – F – Ab – G
These progressions highlight the versatility of the C 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.
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 Cm piano chord
Debussy – Clair de Lune
There are not many C minor piano chords in this song, but when they do appear they sound extra special. Look out for the moment when you pay the G natural because (Clair de Lune is actually in the key of D flat major).When you find the natural sign on the G listen to how impactful the C minor chord is. Have a go at learning this incredible song here on Skoove!
Chopin – Nocturne in Eb major
As we have seen, Eb major and C minor are relative keys. This means they share the same key signature. As such, a lot of C minor chords appear in Chopin’s beautiful Nocturne in Eb major. You can learn how to play it here on Skoove. Listen out to the ways in which the home key of Eb major and the relative key of C minor complement each other.
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.
Published by Lydia Ogn from the Skoove team
