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F Minor Chord

Fm places a minor third (A flat) between F and C. It is i in its own minor key, while the same notes can serve as vi in the relative major.

  • Notes: F-A flat-C
  • Symbol: Fm
  • i in F minor
  • Minor third
Switch chordFm

How to play an F minor chord

Notes: F - Ab - C · symbol Fm

  • Root position

    F - Ab - C
    C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    Ab - C - F
    C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    C - F - Ab
    C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does F minor belong?

The three notes come from the F minor scale, so this chord can act as its home base.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In F minorHome
    i

    The resting point of F minor. The major V before it makes the return feel final.

    FmiBbmivCVFmi
  • In Ab majorThe relative minor
    vi

    Same notes as Ab major, a darker color. The vi in countless pop songs.

    AbIFmviDbIVEbV
  • In Eb majorThe start of ii-V-I
    ii

    The first step of the most common move in jazz, heading to Eb.

    FmiiBbVEbI
  • In Db majorA soft stand-in
    iii

    It shares two notes with Db, so it can replace the I without leaving home.

    DbIFmiiiGbIVAbV

Progressions to try

  • FmBbmCFm

    The major V gives this minor-key return a clear pull into Fm.

  • FmDbAbEb

    The bVI and bVII chords keep the loop moving without the strong V-to-i return.

  • AbFmDbEb

    Here Fm is vi in Ab major, a relative-minor turn away from the major tonic.

  • FmBbEb

    Fm begins a ii-V-I in Eb major; follow the bass as it reaches the final chord.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with 133111, a barre at the 1st fret. Press the barred notes evenly and mute any strings marked x. The x-8-10-10-9-8 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 1013 is the easiest place to start. The 5543 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play F-A flat-C. Move F up an octave to reach the first inversion, A flat-C-F; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

F is the root, A flat the minor third three semitones above it, and C the fifth seven semitones above it.

  • Root position: F-A flat-C, with F lowest.
  • First inversion: A flat-C-F, written Fm/Ab if A flat is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: C-F-A flat, written Fm/C if C is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does F major differ?

Keep F and C in place, then raise A flat to A. That single change turns Fm into F. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See F for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Fm

    F - Ab - C
    C5

    F minor

  • F

    F - A - C
    C5

    F major

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