TuneKite

Piano chord

CmC minor

  • C1
  • E♭♭3
  • G5
Notes
3
Positions
3
Span
7semitones
Fingers
1-3-5

How to play Cm on piano

  1. Find C: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
  2. Right hand: 1 on C, 3 on E♭, 5 on G.
  3. Or with the left hand: 5 on C, 3 on E♭, 1 on G.
  4. Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
  1. Cm on piano, Root position: C E♭ GC, E♭, GCGE♭153
    Cm on piano, Root position: C E♭ GC, E♭, GCGE♭513

    Root position · C – E♭ – G

  2. Cm on piano, 1st inversion: E♭ G CE♭, G, CGCE♭251
    Cm on piano, 1st inversion: E♭ G CE♭, G, CGCE♭315

    1st inversion · E♭ – G – C

  3. Cm on piano, 2nd inversion: G C E♭G, C, E♭GCE♭135
    Cm on piano, 2nd inversion: G C E♭G, C, E♭GCE♭521

    2nd inversion · G – C – E♭

Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.

Cm inversions

Use these 3 positions to move between chords with as little hand movement as possible. Root position starts on C; the inversions start on the other notes of the chord.

Chords that go with Cm

The other chords of C minor, the key where Cm is home (i). Songs in this key move between them.

Cm with two hands

A full sound: the left hand plays C an octave lower, the right hand plays C–E♭–G.

Cm with two handsC, C, E♭, GCCGE♭5153

Cm on other instruments

About the Cm chord

To build C minor, take these 3 notes from the root up: C (1), E♭ (♭3), G (5). A minor triad: the third is lowered by a semitone, which gives it the darker, softer sound. Move the middle key one key down from the major chord and you have it.

The keys are C – E♭ – G, counted up from C; the distance from the lowest to the highest key is 7 semitones. Any hand that reaches an octave can hold Cm, so it works in either hand.

In the inversions of Cm the root moves up and another note takes the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is E♭ (E♭–G–C). In the 2nd inversion the bass is G (G–C–E♭).

Compared with Cm7, Cm leaves out B♭.

You meet Cm in these keys: B flat major (ii), E flat major (vi), A flat major (iii), G minor (iv), C minor (i).

Questions

What notes are in the Cm chord?

Cm (C minor) has 3 notes: C (1), E♭ (♭3), G (5).

How many inversions does Cm have?

Cm can be played in 3 positions: Root position (C–E♭–G); 1st inversion (E♭–G–C); 2nd inversion (G–C–E♭).

What is the difference between Cm and Cm7?

Compared with Cm7, Cm leaves out B♭.

Can I play Cm with one hand?

Yes. In root position Cm spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.

More C chords