C Minor Chord

Cm Level 2: The Session

C Minor (Cm) is built from the notes C, Eb, G. Its intervals are Root — Minor 3rd — Perfect 5th. Darker, more introspective, and emotionally complex. The minor triad pulls the brightness of major downward by a single semitone in the third, changing the entire mood.

Hear C Minor Chord

Piano sample · tap to play

Notes and intervals

Interval Semitones Note
Root 0 C
Minor 3rd 3 Eb
Perfect 5th 7 G

What does c minor chord sound like?

Darker, more introspective, and emotionally complex. The minor triad pulls the brightness of major downward by a single semitone in the third, changing the entire mood.

C Minor Chord in music

A dramatic, emotionally rich chord. You hear C minor in Beethoven's "Pathétique" Sonata, Adele's "Rolling in the Deep," and throughout gothic and classical music.

How to recognise c minor chord by ear

Compare it directly to major. The third is lower — it feels like a shadow falling across the chord. Don't just think "sad" — think "deeper." The fifth is the same as major, so focus on the third.

Practice identifying this chord in ChordFrog's Level 2: The Session .

Practice tip

Compare C major and C minor back to back — they share two notes (C and G) but the third changes from E to Eb. Play them alternately and focus on that single note shift. When you can feel the third dropping without thinking about it, you've internalised the major-minor distinction at its simplest.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in a C Minor chord?
C Minor (Cm) contains three notes: C, Eb, G. The intervals are Root, Minor 3rd, Perfect 5th.
How do I recognise C Minor by ear?
Compare it directly to major. The third is lower — it feels like a shadow falling across the chord. Don't just think "sad" — think "deeper." The fifth is the same as major, so focus on the third. Practice identifying C Minor in ChordFrog's Level 2 (The Session).
What level is C Minor in ChordFrog?
C Minor is introduced at Level 2: The Session. This level covers all 12 major triads.

Other C chords

C Major Chord C Diminished Chord C Augmented Chord C Sus2 Chord C Sus4 Chord

All Minor Chords chords

D♭ Minor Chord D Minor Chord E♭ Minor Chord E Minor Chord F Minor Chord F♯ Minor Chord G Minor Chord A♭ Minor Chord A Minor Chord B♭ Minor Chord B Minor Chord

Hear c minor chord for yourself

Train your ear to recognise this chord instantly with ChordFrog's progressive levels.

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