Fm guitar chord
The F minor chord: every way to play it on the neck, the notes in it, and the scales that sound good over it.
What's in Fm
- Notes
- F – A♭ – C
- Formula
- 1 – b3 – 5
- Name
- F minor
FmF · A♭ · C
3 ways to play it · Tuning E A D G B E
- Open
- D shape · 3rd fret
- A shape · 8th fret
What to play over Fm
Start with the chord's own notes — F, A♭, C — and land on them on the strong beats. Then reach for a scale; which one depends on the chord's job in the song.
- F minor pentatonic scale
The safe start, and the sound of most rock and blues solos.
- F Dorian mode
A minor with a brighter 6th — when the chord is a ii.
- F natural minor scale
The natural minor, when the chord is the song’s home chord (i).
- F Phrygian mode
Dark and Spanish-sounding, with the ♭2 — when the chord is a iii.
Questions
What notes are in a Fm chord?
Fm has 3 notes: F, A♭, C. Counted from the root, its formula is 1 – b3 – 5.
What scale goes with Fm?
F minor pentatonic scale is the place to start. The safe start, and the sound of most rock and blues solos.