C Minor

Fretboard

About

The C minor triad (C–E♭–G) lowers the third by a half step, introducing a darker, more inward quality. It functions as the tonic of C minor or as ii in B♭ major. The E♭ is the defining tone — it is what separates minor from major and from any sus chord that omits the third entirely. On guitar, the fifth can be omitted or doubled freely; root and ♭3 together are sufficient to establish the minor sound. Minor chords commonly precede dominants (Cm7→F7→B♭Maj7 as ii–V–I) or move within minor diatonic harmony. Compared to Cdim, minor is stable due to its perfect fifth; compared to C, it carries a more subdued, reflective quality.

Adjust labels, frets, and palette in the interactive view.