F Minor

Fm

Notes

F · Ab · C

Intervals

  • RootF (1P)
  • Minor 3rdAb (3m)
  • Perfect 5thC (5P)

Fretboard

EBGDAE357912FAbCCFAbAbCFFAbCCFAbFAbC

About

The F minor triad (FA♭C) lowers the third by a half step, introducing a darker, more inward quality. It functions as the tonic of F minor or as ii in E♭ major. The A♭ 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 (Fm7→B♭7E♭Maj7 as ii–V–I) or move within minor diatonic harmony. Compared to Fdim, minor is stable due to its perfect fifth; compared to F, it carries a more subdued, reflective quality.

Open in visualizer →

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