C Minor Chord

The C minor triad, more commonly called the C minor chord, is a minor triad consisting of the notes C, E-flat and G. Here it is on the treble clef staff:

... and on the piano:

Here is the C minor chord on the bass clef staff:

As a minor triad, the C minor chord consists of a minor third plus a major third. The interval from C to E-flat is a minor third, while the interval between E-flat and G is a major third.

Inversions of the C Minor Chord

If the root of the C minor chord—C—is the bass note (i.e., the bottom note), then the chord is in root position:

If the third of the chord—E-flat—is the bottom note, then the chord is in first inversion:

C minor chord in first inversion on the piano

If the fifth of the chord—G—is the bass note, then the chord is in second inversion. (G is called the fifth of the chord because the interval from the root C to G is a fifth.)

C minor chord in second inversion on the piano

C Minor Arpeggios

If the notes of a chord are played one after the other, the chord is said to be arpeggiated. Here are the standard fingerings for arpeggios of the C minor chord. Make sure you learn these fingerings!

(If you don't understand the below notation, you should start with my How to Read Sheet Music course.)