Chords in the key of F minor

The notes of F minor are F G Ab Bb C Db Eb. Each note makes one chord, so these are the seven chords that belong together. Its relative major is Ab major, which uses exactly the same chords.

The seven chords in F minor

NumberChordFeels likeWhat it does
i Fm Home The chord the key is named after. Songs usually start and end here.
ii° Gdim Tense An unstable chord that leads toward v. Rare outside jazz.
III Ab Bright The relative major. A brighter lift out of the minor sound.
iv Bbm Lift Moves away from home with a dark, warm colour.
v Cm Soft pull A gentle pull back to i. Many songs swap in a major V for a stronger pull.
VI Db Warm A major chord that opens up the minor sound.
VII Eb Open A major chord a whole step below i. Common in rock and folk.

How to play them

Fm

NUT E A D G B e 1 3 4
NUT E A D G B e 1 3 4

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Gdim

10fr E A D G B e × 1 2 4 3 ×
10fr E A D G B e × 1 2 4 3 ×

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

3 G D A E
3 G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Ab

4fr E A D G B e 1 3 4 2
4fr E A D G B e 1 3 4 2

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Bbm

NUT E A D G B e × 1 3 4 2
NUT E A D G B e × 1 3 4 2

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Cm

3fr E A D G B e × 1 3 4 2
3fr E A D G B e × 1 3 4 2

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Db

4fr E A D G B e × 1 3 3 3
4fr E A D G B e × 1 3 3 3

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Eb

6fr E A D G B e × 1 3 3 3
6fr E A D G B e × 1 3 3 3

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Tap a chord to see it bigger.

Famous progressions in F

Each one is written as numbers first, then as the real chords in F minor. Play each chord for one bar (four beats) unless you decide otherwise.

The three-chord minor song

i iv v

Fm Bbm Cm

The minor-key version of the three-chord song. Dark and simple.

The epic minor progression

i VI III VII

Fm Db Ab Eb

Four chords that rise and fall. Common in rock, pop and film music.

The Andalusian descent

i VII VI V

Fm Eb Db C

Four chords stepping down, ending on a major V that pulls hard back to i. Flamenco in origin, and everywhere in rock.

Heard in: Hit the Road Jack

Seventh chords used above

C

NUT E A D G B e × 3 2 1
NUT E A D G B e × 3 2 1

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Other keys

C G D A E B F# Db Ab Eb Bb F | Am Em Bm F#m C#m G#m D#m Bbm Fm Cm Gm Dm

Want songs in your own songbook with your own notes? Join SongChute, free.