transpose.siteCm chord (C minor)
The Cm chord is a minor chord built on C. A minor triad: a major chord with the third lowered by a half step. It sounds darker and calmer, common in ballads and minor-key songs.
Cm guitar chord
Common shape
Barre, root on 6th string (fret 8)
The left vertical line is the 6th (thickest) string. Numbers in dots are fingers (1 index · 2 middle · 3 ring · 4 little), × means don't play that string and ○ means open.
Play it the easy way with a capo
- Capo on fret 3 + Am shape
With a capo on for the whole song, every other chord moves by the same number of frets.
Cm chord notes
| Degree | 1 (root) | ♭3 (minor 3rd) | 5 (perfect 5th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | C | E♭ | G |
Cm piano chord
On piano, press these 3 notes together. Bass players usually play the root, C.
Keys that use Cm
- E♭ major: vi
- A♭ major: iii
- B♭ major: ii
- C minor: i
- F minor: v
- G minor: iv
Progressions in E♭ major
- E♭ – B♭ – Cm – A♭ (I – V – vi – IV, the most common pop progression)
- E♭ – Cm – A♭ – B♭ (I – vi – IV – V, the '50s progression, ballads)
Transposing Cm
One half step up, Cm becomes C♯m; one half step down, Bm. To change the key of a whole PDF score, open it in the free PDF transposer.