Cm7 Guitar Chord
C Minor 7th · C–Eb–G–Bb
Cm7 is the C minor 7th chord: C–Eb–G–Bb. Its sound is mellow and soulful — softer than a plain minor chord, at home in funk, R&B, and jazz ii–V–I progressions.
Cm7 softens the C minor triad with a ♭7 (Bb). It's the standard ii chord in Bb major — the first chord of the ii–V–I, jazz's most important progression — and a staple of funk vamps and R&B ballads.
The most common way to play Cm7 is the a-string guide shell at the 1st fret (x 3 1 3 4 x, low E string to high E string). Below you'll find 8 ways to play it across the neck, from open position to barre and shell voicings, with the theory behind the chord and the progressions it lives in.
How to Play Cm7: 8 Voicings
Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.
Cm7 Chord Theory
| Interval | R | ♭3 | 5 | ♭7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | C | Eb | G | Bb |
Cm7 is built from the C minor scale.
Cm7 Chord FAQ
What notes are in the Cm7 chord?
Cm7 contains 4 notes: C (R), Eb (♭3), G (5), Bb (♭7). The interval formula for a minor 7th chord is R–♭3–5–♭7.
What is the easiest way to play Cm7 on guitar?
Use the a-string guide shell at the 1st fret: x 3 1 3 4 x (frets listed from the low E string to the high E string, x = don't play that string). Cm7 has no open-position shape in standard tuning, so this movable form is the standard starting point.
Is Cm7 a major or minor chord?
Cm7 is built on a minor triad (C–Eb–G) with the ♭7 added, so it behaves as a minor-family chord.
What keys use the Cm7 chord?
Cm7 appears diatonically in Eb major (as vi), Bb major (as ii), and Ab major (as iii) — plus it's the home chord (i) of C minor.
Related Chords
Hear yourself play Cm7
OpenFret listens to your real guitar through the microphone. Check your chords ring clean in the free Studio, or learn the fretboard by battling monsters in Guitar Quest — free in your browser, no signup needed.