Chords › F minor
F Minor Chord on Guitar
- Fm
- F · A♭ · C
- Barre at fret 1
E-shape barre
Easy, four strings. Play only the top four strings, with no full barre. It is the usual first step before the barre shape.
F minor, written Fm, is a minor chord: the root, the minor third and the fifth, which gives it its darker sound. Fm has no open shape, so it is usually played as an E-shape barre chord at the 1st fret, and there is an easier four-string version for beginners.
How to play Fm, finger by finger
- Lay your index finger flat across strings 6 to 1 at the 1st fret.
- Put your ring finger on string 5 at the 3rd fret.
- Put your pinky finger on string 4 at the 3rd fret.
- Strum all six strings.
Easy Fm for beginners
Play only the top four strings, with no full barre. It is the usual first step before the barre shape.
More ways to play Fm
Notes in F minor
| Note | Interval | Role |
|---|---|---|
| F | 1 | root |
| A♭ | ♭3 | minor third |
| C | 5 | fifth |
Formula: 1 – ♭3 – 5
Questions about Fm
What notes are in Fm?
F, A♭ and C. Those are the 1, ♭3, 5 of the chord, counted from F.
What is the easiest way to play Fm?
Play the four-string version on the top strings, frets 3, 1, 1, 1 from the 4th string to the 1st. Move to the full barre at the 1st fret when your index finger is ready.
Related chords
Often played with Fm
Other minor chords