Piano chord
FmF minor
- F1
- A♭♭3
- C5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 7semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-5
How to play Fm on piano
- Find F: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on F, 3 on A♭, 5 on C.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on F, 3 on A♭, 1 on C.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · F – A♭ – C
1st inversion · A♭ – C – F
2nd inversion · C – F – A♭
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Fm inversions
Use these 3 positions to move between chords with as little hand movement as possible. Root position starts on F; the inversions start on the other notes of the chord.
- Root positionbass: FRight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 1st inversionbass: A♭Right hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 2nd inversionbass: CRight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
Chords that go with Fm
The other chords of F minor, the key where Fm is home (i). Songs in this key move between them.
Fm with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays F an octave lower, the right hand plays F–A♭–C.
Fm on other instruments
About the Fm chord
To build F minor, take these 3 notes from the root up: F (1), A♭ (♭3), C (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 F – A♭ – C, counted up from F; the distance from the lowest to the highest key is 7 semitones. Any hand that reaches an octave can hold Fm, so it works in either hand.
In the inversions of Fm the root moves up and another note takes the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is A♭ (A♭–C–F). In the 2nd inversion the bass is C (C–F–A♭).
Compared with Fm7, Fm leaves out E♭.
You meet Fm in these keys: E flat major (ii), A flat major (vi), D flat major (iii), C minor (iv), F minor (i).
Questions
What notes are in the Fm chord?
Fm (F minor) has 3 notes: F (1), A♭ (♭3), C (5).
How many inversions does Fm have?
Fm can be played in 3 positions: Root position (F–A♭–C); 1st inversion (A♭–C–F); 2nd inversion (C–F–A♭).
What is the difference between Fm and Fm7?
Compared with Fm7, Fm leaves out E♭.
Can I play Fm with one hand?
Yes. In root position Fm spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.