C Minor Triad: A Music Theory Guide 🎶🎸🎹

By Jade Bultitude
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In this article you’ll learn how to construct the C minor triad as well as how to play it on piano and guitar.

We’ve also included sections on inversions for those that want a deeper understanding. Lastly, listen to some examples of popular songs that featured this triad.

Root , 3rd and 5th

The C minor triad is formed of the 1st, flat 3rd and flat 5th of the C major scale.

  • C – root note
  • Eb – minor 3rd above the root
  • G – perfect 5th above the root

Here is the triad written on the stave in the treble and bass clef.

c min triad treble clef
c min triad bass clef

Before you read on make sure that you have a basic understanding of intervals. Intervals are vital for understanding how triads are built. Check out our guide to major, minor and perfect intervals for more on this.

C Minor Triad on Piano

Below you can see how to play this triad on the keyboard or piano. This pattern of notes could also be played starting on any C note.

However, the order of the notes must be the same:

  • C – lowest note
  • E flat – middle note
  • G – highest note

This is called ‘root position’.

C min triad root position piano diagram

C Min Chord on Guitar

There are two simple positions that you can use to play a C minor chord on guitar. Both positions can also be slide up or down the neck to play different minor triads.

c minor chord, root position, guitar chart

1st Inversion

A 1st inversion is where we take a triad but we start on the second note, which in this case is E flat. We still keep the G above, but then the C (or root) become the highest note.

This way of rearranging a triad gives us a different sound as the relative pitches of the three notes has changed.

  • E flat – lowest note
  • G – middle note
  • C – highest note
C min triad 1st inversion

1st inversion on Piano

On the piano we can play the 1st inversion of a C Minor chord by starting on an E flat. They play the G above and the C above this.

C min triad 1st inversion piano diagram

1st Inversion on Guitar

Below are the most common shapes for playing a C minor chord in the 1st inversion. Remember that we can only use certain shapes are the pitches of the three notes are important.

C minor chord 1st inversion guitar chart

2nd Inversion

A 2nd inversion is where we take a triad but we start on the third note, which in this case is G natural. We still keep the C above this as we did from the 1st inversion. Then the Eb becomes the highest note in the chord.

  • G – perfect 5th (lowest note)
  • C – root note (middle note)
  • Eb – minor 3rd (highest note)

We could construct a 2nd inversion starting on any G note in any octave. The only thing that must stay the same is that the we use the C above and the Eb above that.

C min triad 2nd inversion

2nd inversion on Piano

On the piano we can play the 2nd inversion of a C Minor chord by starting on a G natural. They play the C above and the Eb above this.

C minor chord 2nd inversion piano diagram

2nd Inversion of Guitar

Below are the most common shapes for playing a C minor chord in the 2nd inversion. Remember that we can only use certain shapes are the pitches of the three notes are important.

C minor chord 2nd inversion guitar chart

Triads from the C Minor Scale

By looking at the C Minor scale we can actually make triads built on each note and only using notes from C minor. Below you can see a list of each triad we will create be starting on different notes of the scale.

  • C Minor
  • D Diminished
  • Eb Major
  • F Minor
  • G Minor
  • A Major
  • Bb major
chords in c minor,

Famous Songs in C Minor

Here’s 3 famous examples of songs in a C Minor key. For this reason, they use C Minor triads, as the root note chord, prominently in their chord progressions.

‘My heart Will go on’ – Celine Dion

Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” is a timeless ballad that became an instant classic due to its emotional resonance and powerful vocals.

‘Baby One More Time’ – Britney Spears

Britney Spears’ “Baby One More Time” is a pop sensation that catapulted her to stardom, known for its infectious melody and iconic music video.

‘He Won’t Go’ – Adele

Adele’s “He Won’t Go” is a soulful and heartfelt track that showcases the singer’s remarkable vocal talent and emotional depth. This song dives into themes of love and vulnerability.

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AUTHOR
Jade is a flute player and music educator with a passion for educating the next generation of musicians. She is a Masters Graduate from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Jade has been helping people learn music theory for more than 10 years from pre school children all the way to degree level studies.