Minor chord (m) on guitar
Cm is the minor chord: C, Eb and G (1–b3–5). On guitar, the diagram shape is x 3 5 5 4 3, with C in the bass.
On the guitar, six strings give the chord room to breathe — some positions use them all, others ask you to mute the lowest ones. In this Cm voicing the bass is C and the shape runs from fret 3 to 5. Its hollow wooden body gives every chord a warm, natural ring that blooms and fades on its own.
Cm on guitar: shapes and notes →
Notes and formula of Cm
Notes in Cm: C – Eb – GFormula: 1 – b3 – 5In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.
Where to use it
The home chord of sad songs, it is the minor tonic — in other words, the arrival point where the music comes to rest. Inside a major key it becomes the famous relative minor (Am within C major) or the step that prepares a chord of tension.
See also
Part of the Triads family.