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F minor (Fm) on guitar

The F minor scale consists of the notes F – G – A♭ – B♭ – C – D♭ – E♭ and has 4 flats. Below you can see every usable note on the neck up to fret 15.

F 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 F minor

Common progression: Fm – D♭ – A♭ – E♭ (i–VI–III–VII).

Quick overview

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

Well-known songs in F minor

  • Blinding LightsThe Weeknd
  • Boulevard of Broken DreamsGreen Day
  • Dream OnAerosmith
  • HappyPharrell Williams
  • HelloAdele
  • Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana

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

CAGED positions

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

  • Em shapearound fret 1 · root on low E string, fret 1
  • Dm shapearound fret 3 · root on D string, fret 3
  • Cm shapearound fret 5 · root on A string, fret 8
  • Am shapearound fret 8 · root on A string, fret 8
  • Gm shapearound fret 10 · root on low E string, fret 13

Learn F minor in 5 steps

  1. Step 1

    Find the root note F

    Find F on the low E string (fret 1) and on the A string (fret 8). 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: Fm (i), B♭m (iv) and Cm (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 (F A♭ B♭ C E♭) is the first pattern to learn. Put your index finger around fret 1 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 (G and D♭) in the same position. Now you're playing all seven notes of F mineur: F G A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭.

  5. Step 5

    Improvise over a chord progression

    Record Fm – D♭ – E♭ – Fm (or ask someone to play it) and solo over it using box 1. End your phrases on F and listen to how that "coming home" sounds.

Playing F minor with a capo

Go to the capo guide

Solo tips for F minor

  1. Start with the minor pentatonic scale (F A♭ B♭ C E♭). The best-known "box" pattern starts on the root F on the low E string, fret 1.
  2. End your phrases on the root F for a resolved feeling, or on the third A♭ and fifth C for tension.
  3. Add the blue note C♭ as a passing note for a bluesy sound — don't linger on it too long.
  4. Over the Cm 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 E (harmonic minor), especially over the V chord.

Frequently asked questions about F minor

Which notes are in F mineur?

F mineur (Fm) consists of the notes F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E♭. The key signature has 4 flats.

Which chords fit F mineur?

The diatonic chords in F mineur are Fm, Gdim, A♭, B♭m, Cm, D♭, E♭. You can freely combine them; they all sound good within the key.

What is the relative key of F mineur?

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

Which pentatonic scale do you use in F mineur?

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

How do I find F on the guitar neck?

You'll find the root F on the low E string at fret 1 and on the A string at fret 8, among other places.