C Minor 7th

Cm7

Notes

C · Eb · G · Bb

Intervals

  • RootC (1P)
  • Minor 3rdEb (3m)
  • Perfect 5thG (5P)
  • Minor 7thBb (7m)

Fretboard

EBGDAE357912GBbCEbCEbGBbGBbCEbGEbGBbCBbCEbGGBbCEb

About

The C minor 7th (CE♭GB♭) combines a minor triad with a minor seventh. The B♭ softens the minor triad, giving m7 a more open, fluid sound than a plain minor chord. The E♭ and B♭ are the two essential tones — together they define both the minor quality and the seventh extension; the 5th can be dropped. In jazz, m7 is the standard ii in major ii–V–I progressions (Cm7 → F7B♭Maj7) and a common tonic color in modal contexts. In funk and soul, it provides warmth without the tension of a dominant chord. Compared to Cm, m7 is less tense and more harmonically relaxed; compared to Cm9, less ornamental.

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