All 4 ways to play Cm7 on guitar
-
x3134x at the 1st fret -
x35343 at the 3rd fret -
xxx546 at the 4th fret -
8-10-8-8-8-8 at the 8th fret
Diagrams: strings run from the lowest on the left; X = don't play, O = open string, numbers = fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little finger).
How to play Cm7 on guitar
Main shape: x3134x (at the 1st fret).
- Put your middle finger (2) on the 3rd fret of the A (5th) string.
- Put your index finger (1) on the 1st fret of the D (4th) string.
- Put your ring finger (3) on the 3rd fret of the G (3rd) string.
- Put your little finger (4) on the 4th fret of the B (2nd) string.
- Don't play the low E (6th) or high E (1st) strings (marked X).
- Strum from the A (5th) string down (4 strings).
Cm7 notes and intervals
| Note | Formula | Interval from the root |
|---|---|---|
| C | 1 | root |
| E♭ | ♭3 | minor 3rd |
| G | 5 | perfect 5th |
| B♭ | ♭7 | minor 7th |
Inversions: the same notes with another one in the bass, written as slash chords: Cm7/E♭ (1st inversion), Cm7/G (2nd inversion) and Cm7/B♭ (3rd inversion).
Cm7 or CM7? A small "m" means minor: Cm7 is C minor 7th (C, E♭, G and B♭). A capital "M", as in CM7, means major 7th: the same chord as Cmaj7.
Cm7 on piano and ukulele
-
Cm7 on piano C – E♭ – G – B♭ -
Cm7 on ukulele 3333
Which keys use Cm7?
Cm7 is one of the basic chords of 6 keys. Its number (Roman numeral) and job change with the key:
| Key | Written | Numeral | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| B♭ major | Cm7 | ii7 | predominant |
| G minor | Cm7 | iv7 | predominant |
| E♭ major | Cm7 | vi7 | tonic |
| C minor | Cm7 | i7 | tonic |
| A♭ major | Cm7 | iii7 | tonic or dominant |
| F minor | Cm7 | v7 | dominant |
Progressions with Cm7
- ii–V–I in B♭ major: Cm7 – F7 – B♭maj7 A cadence that is extremely common in jazz.
- iiø–V–i in C minor: Dm7♭5 – G7 – Cm7 The minor ii–V–i of jazz.