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C Minor Chord
The C Minor Chord is C, E-flat, and G. Compared with C major, only the middle note changes, moving down to the black key, and that one change is where the darker color comes from. Since the middle finger now reaches a little further into the keys, it helps to let the whole hand shift forward slightly rather than stretching just that finger.
How to play the C Minor Chord on the piano
Let’s go through some charts that will familiarize you with the C Minor Chord and how to play it in the various forms you will encounter in pieces of music. First, we’ll look at the fundamental chord and its inversions; then, we’ll explore some more complex voicings.
The C Minor Chord in root position
In root position, the notes of the C minor chord are stacked in thirds with C on the bottom. The appearance on the staff is evenly spaced, as is the feeling of the space in between your fingers while playing.
| C Minor Chord in root position | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | C E♭ G |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | Cm |
The C Minor Chord in first inversion
In first inversion, the third of the chord (E♭) becomes the bottom note, and the root (C) jumps up to the top.
| C Minor Chord in 1st inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | E♭ G C |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 2 5 |
| Chord Symbol | Cm6 or Cm/E♭ |
The C Minor Chord in second inversion
In second inversion, the fifth of the chord (G) is on the bottom, and the third of the chord (E♭) goes to the top.
| C Minor Chord in 2nd inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | G C E♭ |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 2 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | Cm6/4 or Cm/G |
More voicings of the C Minor Chord
The voicing of a chord refers to the order and register of the notes being played. Once you have a good grasp of the fundamental inversions, try experimenting with some different voicings by re-ordering the chord tones and moving them around the piano.
C Minor Chord theory and function
The C minor chord is the root in the key of C minor, the supertonic (ii) in the key of B♭ major, and the submediant (VI) in the key of E♭ major.
Other chords built on C
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