Chord guide

Cm chord on guitar (C minor)

The Cm chord is the notes C, Eb and G. The usual shape is a barre at the 3rd fret: x 3 5 5 4 3, from the low E string to the high E. Strum it below, tap a string to hear its note, or open it on the full guitar and play it yourself.

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How to play Cm

Numbers are fingers: 1 index to 4 little

Lay your index finger flat across the A to the high E string at the 3rd fret.
Your ring finger on the D string at the 5th fret.
Your little finger on the G string at the 5th fret.
Your middle finger on the B string at the 4th fret.
Don't play the low E string: start your strum on the A string.

Easier Cm

The top four strings, no full barre

Cm (easy)

Strum only the four thinnest strings: x x 5 5 4 3. It's a good way in before the full shape. Pick Easy under "Ways to play Cm" above to hear it.

Your ring finger on the D string at the 5th fret.
Your little finger on the G string at the 5th fret.
Your middle finger on the B string at the 4th fret.
Your index finger on the high E string at the 3rd fret.
Don't play the low E and A strings: start your strum on the D string.

Cm up the neck

The same chord, higher and brighter

Cm (up the neck)

Play it as 8 10 10 8 8 8, a barre at the 8th fret. Pick the Up the neck shape above to hear it.

Lay your index finger flat across the low E to the high E string at the 8th fret.
Your ring finger on the A string at the 10th fret.
Your little finger on the D string at the 10th fret.

Chords that go with Cm

The chords of C minor: they sit next to Cm in songs, so they sound right before and after it.

Songs with Cm

All the chords: guitar chord chart. Songs that use them: easy guitar songs. Tune up first with the online guitar tuner.