The C minor 7 chord (also written as the Cm7 chord) is a 4 note chord containing the notes C Eb G and Bb. It is the tonic in the key of C minor, as well as the iii chord in Ab major and the ii in Bb major.Â
In this article we will explain the music theory, read chord charts, and go over frequently asked questions so you understand this chord well.
Let’s learn how to play Cmin7 to spice up your chord progressions!
C Minor 7th Chord Theory
- Minor 7 chords are one of the 5 types of 7th chords.
- C minor 7 uses the notes C Eb G Bb.
- C minor 7 is the tonic of C minor, which has a key signature of Bb Eb and Ab.
- Minor 7th chords are built by first stacking a minor triad, and then adding a minor 7th on top. To make it easy, remember that minor 7th are always a whole step below the octave note, C.
Ways To Play The Cm7 Chord
Frequently Asked Questions About Cm7
What is the notation for the cm7 chord?
The shorthand for C minor 7 is Cm7, or cmin7. Written on sheet music, you would see the notes C Eb G Bb written on the staff.
What is a Cm7 chord on guitar?
A cm7 chord is a minor 7th chord starting on the root note C. The notes are C Eb G Bb.
Is it C7 or C Maj 7?
Well, both are two entirely different chords. C7 means C Dominant 7, whereas C maj 7 means C major 7. The former has a minor 7th, and the latter has a major 7th. Both have major triads.
Is C7 the same as CM7?
Nope. See the question above 🙂
Is C maj 7 the same as C Major?
No, C maj7 is a chord with a major 7th. C major is just a plain major triad.
C major has the notes C E G, and C major 7 has the notes C E G B. Trying playing C major and then adding the 7th to see how different these chords sound.
Is C minor 7 in the key of C major?
No, C minor is the tonic of the key of C minor, which has a key signature of Bb Eb Ab. (The same as Eb major)
C major and C minor are called Parallel Keys, meaning they start on the same root note but have different key signatures. Sometimes songs will modulate from C major to C minor.
What is the easiest way to play Cm7?
Place your 1st finger on the 8th fret of the 4th string and barre 🙂
Conclusion
To sum it up, the C minor 7 chord is a blend of C, Eb, G, and Bb. As the tonic in the key of C minor, the iii chord in Ab major, and the ii in Bb major, it serves as an important element in various musical keys.
Throughout the article, we discussed the music theory behind the Cm7 chord, learned the most practical ways to play it, and addressed common questions. By adding the C minor 7 chord into your progressions, you add complexity and richness to your songs.
