C minor chord on piano
Cm · Cmin · C− — the darker, sadder sound: a major chord with its third lowered.
| Notes | C – E♭ – G |
|---|---|
| Formula | 1 – ♭3 – 5 |
| Symbols | Cm, Cmin, C− |
| Fingering (root position) | Right hand 1 3 5 · Left hand 5 3 1 |
How to play C minor on the piano
Start on C (middle C is a good place). Add the third (E♭) and the fifth (G). With the right hand use fingers 1 3 5; with the left hand 5 3 1. Press the keys together for the chord, or one after another for an arpeggio.
Inversions
The same notes in a different order: the lowest note changes, the chord stays C minor. Inversions let you move between chords with small steps.
Root position
C – E♭ – G · RH 1 3 5 · LH 5 3 1
1st inversion
E♭ – G – C · RH 1 2 5 · LH 5 3 1
2nd inversion
G – C – E♭ · RH 1 3 5 · LH 5 2 1
Which keys use C minor
In these keys the chord is built from the notes of the scale itself:
Its relative major chord is E♭ major.
Other C chords
C majorC diminishedC augmentedC sus2C sus4C6C7C major seventhC minor seventhC diminished seventhC half-diminished
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