Fm chord (F minor) on guitar

How to finger Fm, which notes it contains and which chords it is played with. Tap the diagram to hear it, then play it below in a progression with other chords.

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About the Fm chord

Fm is F minor. Notes: F – C – Ab. Formula: 1 – ♭3 – 5.

Difficulty: barre (3 out of 3). It needs a barre: one finger pressing several strings, which is practised separately. Beginners need it less often, but it adds a distinct colour to accompaniment and makes the sound richer.

How to place your fingers

  • Barre at fret 1: one finger presses strings 6–1
  • Other fingers: string 5 (A) — fret 3; string 4 (D) — fret 3

Where it appears

Fm is found in these keys: Ab (vi), Eb (ii), Db (iii).

Progressions with Fm

Every progression starts on Fm and all its chords come from one key, so the changes sound natural. Play them in the block above; the Roman numerals show each chord's degree.

  • Fm – Db – Ab – Eb (i – VI – III – VII)
  • Fm – Eb – Db – C (i – VII – VI – V)
  • Fm – Bbm – Cm – Fm (i – iv – v – i)

Try it in practice

Practise chord changes

Other popular chords

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