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C minor (Cm) on guitar

The C minor scale consists of the notes C – D – E♭ – F – G – A♭ – B♭ and has 3 flats. Below you can see every usable note on the neck up to fret 15.

C minorNatural minor scale

♪ Click a note on the fretboard to hear its sound.

E
B
G
D
A
E
0123•45•67•89•101112••131415•
Root noteOther notes
Click a note to hear it · frets 0–15

Chords in C minor

Common progression: Cm – A♭ – E♭ – B♭ (i–VI–III–VII).

Quick overview

Root note
C
Mode
minor
Key signature
3 flats
Pentatonic
C E♭ F G B♭
Relative key
E♭ major

Well-known songs in C minor

  • Eye of the TigerSurvivor
  • It's My LifeBon Jovi
  • Rolling in the DeepAdele
  • Since I've Been Loving YouLed Zeppelin
  • SkyfallAdele
  • Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)Eurythmics
  • You Give Love a Bad NameBon Jovi

Key of the original recording; live versions or covers may differ.

CAGED positions

With the CAGED system you play Cm in five positions across the whole neck. Each shape connects to the next.

  • Cm shapearound fret 0 · root on A string, fret 3
  • Am shapearound fret 3 · root on A string, fret 3
  • Gm shapearound fret 5 · root on low E string, fret 8
  • Em shapearound fret 8 · root on low E string, fret 8
  • Dm shapearound fret 10 · root on D string, fret 10

Learn C minor in 5 steps

  1. Step 1

    Find the root note C

    Find C on the low E string (fret 8) and on the A string (fret 3). Play them alternately and say the name out loud. Every pattern below hangs off these two points.

  2. Step 2

    Play the main chords

    Learn the three most important chords: Cm (i), Fm (iv) and Gm (v). Switch between them at a slow tempo until you can play through without stopping.

  3. Step 3

    Learn the pentatonic in box 1

    The minor pentatonic (C E♭ F G B♭) is the first pattern to learn. Put your index finger around fret 8 and play two notes per string, from the low E to the high e and back.

  4. Step 4

    Extend to the full scale

    Add the two missing notes (D and A♭) in the same position. Now you're playing all seven notes of C mineur: C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭.

  5. Step 5

    Improvise over a chord progression

    Record Cm – A♭ – B♭ – Cm (or ask someone to play it) and solo over it using box 1. End your phrases on C and listen to how that "coming home" sounds.

Playing C minor with a capo

Go to the capo guide

Solo tips for C minor

  1. Start with the minor pentatonic scale (C E♭ F G B♭). The best-known "box" pattern starts on the root C on the low E string, fret 8.
  2. End your phrases on the root C for a resolved feeling, or on the third E♭ and fifth G for tension.
  3. Add the blue note G♭ as a passing note for a bluesy sound — don't linger on it too long.
  4. Over the Gm chord (the v) deliberately play the notes of that chord to make the chord changes audible.
  5. Want a more classical, "Spanish" sound? Raise the 7th degree to B (harmonic minor), especially over the V chord.

Frequently asked questions about C minor

Which notes are in C mineur?

C mineur (Cm) consists of the notes C, D, E♭, F, G, A♭, B♭. The key signature has 3 flats.

Which chords fit C mineur?

The diatonic chords in C mineur are Cm, Ddim, E♭, Fm, Gm, A♭, B♭. You can freely combine them; they all sound good within the key.

What is the relative key of C mineur?

The relative key is E♭ major. It uses exactly the same notes and key signature, just with a different tonal centre.

Which pentatonic scale do you use in C mineur?

Use the minor pentatonic scale: C, E♭, F, G, B♭. It avoids the "tricky" half-step intervals and almost always sounds good.

How do I find C on the guitar neck?

You'll find the root C on the low E string at fret 8 and on the A string at fret 3, among other places.