), Guitars have been around for a long time, but in all that time I don’t think anyone has found an easier way to play the Cm guitar chord than this! Learn how everything fits together quickly, easily and effectively. With its exposed sincerity, Cm is a perfectly suited chord for acoustic modern folk songs, making it a go-to chord for Ben Howard, particularly songs like âThe Wolvesâ and âShe Treats Me Well.â. The infectious energy of âShe Loves Youâ by the Beatles is the perfect blend of passion and energy. Cm Chord. Channel the inner emotion of the Cm chord with a soulful pop sound and you end up one of Adeleâs biggest hits, âRolling in the Deep.â Blending an array of palm muted chords to start the verse before crescendoing into the chorus really accentuates the versatile range of Cm in this song. So what are the alternative versions of the C minor guitar chord? (String numbers are explained here.). If you're looking at the diagram above, and thinking yikes, that looks hard, don't worry. As always, good luck, and happy practicing! All Rights Reserved. Embedded content: https://youtu.be/AlNFSXxBX1Y?rel=0. We'll start with the barre chord version of C Minor, at the 3rd fret: You can play a similar version of this shape as well, without the barre: Now, if you want a challenge, you'll want to learn these alternate voicings that you can also play in open position: You can also venture away from open position to play C Minor, up to 5th and 6th frets: You'll want to make sure that you're executing these C Minor chord variations with proper technique, so be sure to start slowly, commit your finger positions to memory, and work at these voicings often to reinforce what you've learned. Be the first to know about new products, featured content, exclusive offers and giveaways. It can elicit a sobering passion, longing, or solemnity. It can elicit a … So why is the Cm guitar chord so difficult to play? Sometimes the personality of a note really strikes a chord (pun) with the tone and personality of a band. But if you have 15-20 hours of guitar practice under your belt already, I prefer for my students to learn the third version of the Cm guitar chord shown above. This version of the Cm guitar chord is a little bass-heavy, but it’s very easy to make the chord shape and less fiddly to strum than the above version. For metal/hard rockers Killswitch Engage, the Cm chord is an integral part of their discography, making an appearance in songs âWhen Darkness Falls,â "Take This Oathâ and âA Bid Farewell,â just to name fraction of their catalogâs love for Cm. (It's free.). We share ninja tips (for instant fun!) Check it out! Learn 12 beginner-friendly versions of every © National Guitar Academy Ltd | All Rights Reserved, How To Read Guitar Chordboxes In 60 Seconds, The standard way to play the C minor guitar chord, 4 easier ways to play the Cm guitar chord, A super-simple version of the C minor guitar chord for beginners. How to Play a C Minor Chord on Guitar. Stop struggling. It’s not super-easy to play, but it IS a lot simpler than the standard version of the Cm guitar chord. This is my preferred version of Cm for my beginner students to learn. Learn how to read chord diagrams.. Listen for the Cm chord in the legendarily blues-influenced Led Zeppelinâs âSince Iâve Been Loving Youâ and try finding it in some of your own favorite blues slingerâs guitar repertoire. Its relative major is Eb major and its parallel major is C. As a chord mostly associated with longing and a somber tone, itâs no surprise that Cm is also a common chord found in sad love songs. As you can see, this is much easier than any of the other versions of the C minor guitar chord we’ve looked at. BLACK FRIDAY SALE: Get 50% off an Annual Plan. Over 100,000 guitar-learners get our world-class guitar tips & tutorials sent straight to their inbox: Click here to join them. Fender PlayBLACK FRIDAY SALE: Get 50% off an Annual Plan.UNLOCK THIS OFFER. ✓ Learn 12 beginner-friendly versions of every chord. With great guitar chops and driving drums, the chord is used to the fullest effect in this 80s anthem. Expand your chord vocabulary and learn the Cm chord and weave its mix of passion and longing into your repertoire. It also shows that the typically passive demeanor of the Cm chord doesnât always have to be so solemn. We'll start easy, as there are ways to play C Minor using just two fingers: These two voicings are adequate, but if you want a fuller C Minor sound, you'll want to add some more fingers into the mix. The blues and a somber, downtrodden feel go hand-in-fretboard, which is why the Cm chord so often appears in some well-known songs within the genre. (Because that shape can be used for multiple other chords in the future. Finally, add your ring finger on the 5th fretâs G and pinky on D. Strum five strings down from the A string. (Case in point, Beethoven wrote his gloomy symphony No. You'll find it featured prominently in songs like Steely Dan's Don't Take Me Alive, but there is a small catch. As you can see, this is far too difficult for guitar beginners to play. . As you can see, the Cm doesnât offer the friendliest finger placement for beginner guitar players. There are three flat notes that make up the C minor chord to give it that soft and earnest sound. Well, in its standard form it’s usually played as a “barre chord”. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. You'll find it featured prominently in songs like Steely … C Minor Guitar Chord Voicings. Join us on Facebook for daily guitar tips. Check out the finger placement for this alternate version and compare the two for yourself, browse Fender Play's chord library, learn about chord types, and find tips on how to master them, - Index finger: 3rd fret of the A (5th) string, - Index finger: 3rd fret of the E (1st) string, - Middle finger: 4th fret of the B (2nd) string, - Ring finger: 5th fret of the D (4th) string, - Pinky finger: 5th fret of the G (3rd) string, - Index finger: 3rd fret of E (1st) string, - Ring finger: 5th fret of the the G (3rd) string. Want to learn how to play the guitar? Thatâs why a lot of guitarists opt to play the easier C minor alternative chord over the standard barred version. The C Minor chord -- C, Eb, and G -- is going to come in handy over the course of your guitar playing career. Start making music. One of the more difficult notes to play due to its awkward chord shape, Cm in its standard form is typically played as a barre chord. Speaking of classic rock, Bon Joviâs âYou Give Love a Bad Nameâ is another great example of the breadth of Cm and the punch it can lend to a song. Especially if you’re a beginner guitarist…. There’s two other versions of the Cm guitar chord that I’d like you to bear in mind. If you want to open up the passion of the Cm chord â even some of its pent-up aggressiveness â then âEye of the Tigerâ by Survivor is a classic example of Cm accompanied by a motivating beat. If you’re a total beginner you should try the last two above versions of the Cm guitar chord, as all the other versions will simply be too tough for you to play. Learn two ways to play this minor chord. Listen to the following songs to see if you can tune your ear to hear the sincere sound of Cm. How To Learn Guitar: An 11-Step Programme For Beginners, How To Choose The Perfect Beginner Guitar, Guitar Notes Explained: A Guide For Beginners, Learn about the National Guitar Academy: About Us. The country yearning of âHead Over Bootsâ by Jon Pardi is a great example of the Cm chord setting the tone for a song. 5 in the C minor key.).