Fm Piano Chord

F minor is the Fm piano chord. It has three notes: F, A flat and C. The middle note is a black key, with white keys on either side.

1F3A♭5CC4C5

F at the bottom, then A♭ and C. Right hand 1-3-5, left hand 5-3-1. The black key is A♭.

How to play Fm on piano, step by step

  1. Start on the F above middle C. That is the lowest note of the chord.
  2. Thumb (1): F
  3. Middle finger (3): A♭
  4. Little finger (5): C
  5. Press them together with the right hand. The left hand plays the same notes with fingers 5, 3, 1 an octave lower, or just F on its own as a bass note.

This is F major with the middle finger dropped one key. F and F minor next to each other is a favourite move in soul and gospel, and it is easy to practise as a single finger movement.

Inversions of Fm

The same 3 notes with a different one at the bottom. All of them are Fm; which you play depends on what the hand is coming from. Tap any card to hear it.

First inversionA♭ C F
Fm piano chord diagram, first inversion, A♭ C F
Lighter than root position and less final. A flat third in the bass tips the chord forward, which is why it usually sits between two other chords rather than at the end of a line.
Second inversionC F A♭
Fm piano chord diagram, second inversion, C F A♭
Open and slightly unresolved. A fifth in the bass makes the chord sound like a step on the way somewhere, which is mostly how it is used.

If it sounds wrong

It sounds bright instead of sad
The middle note is A flat, the black key just left of A. A natural gives F major.
The middle finger feels cramped
Slide the hand further into the keyboard so the finger sits on the black key naturally instead of reaching back for its front edge.
The chord sounds unbalanced
With one finger deeper than the others the hand tips. Keep the wrist level and let the thumb and little finger stay forward on their white keys.

What makes it an Fm

F · A♭ · C 1 ♭3 5

F minor is the first, flat third and fifth of the F scale: F, A flat and C. Flattening the third is the only difference from F major.

It is the relative minor of A flat major, the vi chord of A flat and the ii of E flat. It also turns up constantly as the iv chord in the key of C, borrowed from C minor, which is one of the most recognisable sad turns in pop.

Fm vs F

One key. F major has A; F minor has A flat, the black key immediately below it.

Going from F to F minor in the key of C is a well worn move, and hearing the two side by side explains why: the chord stays in place but the light goes out of it.

Questions about Fm

Which notes are in an Fm chord on piano?

F, A flat and C. F and C are white keys; A flat is the black key to the left of A.

What fingers do you use for Fm?

Right hand: thumb on F, middle finger on A flat, little finger on C. Left hand: little finger on F, middle on A flat, thumb on C.

What is the difference between Fm and F?

The middle note. F major uses A, F minor uses A flat.

Why does Fm sound so sad in a song in C?

Because it is borrowed from C minor rather than belonging to C major. A chord from outside the key stands out, and this one is the classic way to darken a bright progression.

Where is the Fm chord used?

As the vi chord in A flat, the ii in E flat, and as a borrowed iv chord in the key of C.

Chords to learn next

Other F chords