Minor chord

A minor chord is composed using a root/1^st, minor 3^rd and perfect 5^th (or R/1-♭3-5) intervals played simultaneously. Generally written as Cmi, CMI or C-, it is good practice to simply use an upper case C and a lower case mi (Cmi) to represent it in writing.

In guitar, the intervals of a minor chord may not always be played in tonal order (root/1^st, minor 3^rd, perfect 5^th, in this order) however the root note will always be the lowest tone (and most distinct) unless it is an inversion. For example: a Cmi chord played on the 8^th fret using voicing #4 (barre chord) has a interval sequence of: root/1^st, perfect 5^th, root 1^st(octave), minor 3^rd, perfect 5^th and root/1^st(x2 octave) or R/1-5-1-♭3-5-1.

The tonality of a minor chord is consonant and resolved, though it is considerably "darker" than a major chord. It does not "lead away" from itself like the dominant seventh chord, or leave the listener with a sense of "suspense" like the minor seventh flat five chord.

Major, minor and diminished triads occur naturally in the harmonized major scale (triads), an augmented triad is simply a major triad with a raised fifth degree.

Minor chord profile

Chord shapes/voicings

• Minor chord shapes
• Help
• Guitar neck notes
• Octave chart

Minor chord table

Chord name	Root	Minor third	Perfect fifth
Cmi	C	E♭	G
C♯mi	C♯	E	G♯
D♭mi	D♭	F♭ (E)	A♭
Dmi	D	F	A
D♯mi	D♯	F♯	A♯
E♭mi	E♭	G♭	B♭
Emi	E	G	B
Fmi	F	A♭	C
F♯mi	F♯	A	C♯
G♭mi	G♭	B (A)	D♭
Gmi	G	B♭	D
G♯mi	G♯	B	D♯
A♭mi	A♭	C♭ (B)	E♭
Ami	A	C	E
A♯mi	A♯	C♯	E♯ (F)
B♭mi	B♭	D♭	F
Bmi	B	D	F♯

Audio sample(s)