F Minor Chord
The F minor chord uses F, A flat and C. Press those notes together and you have Fm. Keep the root and fifth, then change only the middle note to hear how a minor chord differs from a major one.
- Notes: F-A flat-C
- Symbol: Fm
- Three positions
Where are the notes?
F and C are white keys with A flat between them. Press F-A-C first, then replace A with the black key A flat to isolate the minor third.
F is the root. A flat is three semitones above it, a minor third. C is seven semitones above the root. If the written chord symbol has a small m, such as Fm, the third is the note you should check first. Minor Chord gives the general formula.
How do the inversions work?
- Root position: F-A flat-C, with F lowest.
- First inversion: A flat-C-F, with A flat lowest.
- Second inversion: C-F-A flat, with C lowest.
When A flat is the lowest note in the whole arrangement, write Fm/Ab. With C in the bass, write Fm/C. An inversion changes the register and bass line, while the note set stays F-A flat-C.
Where does Fm fit?
F minor is the home triad in F natural minor. It is also the sixth chord in A flat major. In that major key, the same notes have a different role because the melody and surrounding chords point elsewhere.
Try Fm-Bbm-Cm-Fm. These four chords come from the F natural-minor scale. The final Fm repeats the first chord, so listen for the return after the middle two. If you later replace the chord on scale degree 5 with its major form, you will introduce a raised seventh from harmonic minor.
What changes in F major?
Raise A flat to A; keep F and C. You get F-A-C. Play both chords at the same volume, then alternate their thirds alone. The single changed key is the reliable distinction, even when tempo or instrument color changes.
A short practice loop
Play F-A flat-C together, then A flat-C-F. Name the new lowest note before pressing "Hear" again. Return to root position, change A flat to A, and say whether the result is major or minor.