F-Minor Chord

This page dives into the F minor chord for guitar - voicings, compatible scales and modes, plus where it rings out in iconic songs. F minor (F • A♭ • C) has a dark, melancholic, and emotional sound. It’s commonly used in rock, pop, indie, R&B, and soul for moody or dramatic progressions.

Chord Voicings & Tablature

Common ways to play F minor

Full Barre (133111)

Easy Partial Barre (xx3111)

High Voicing (x 8 10 10 9 8)

Scales & Modes That Fit Perfectly

F minor is the relative minor of A♭ major, sharing the same notes but with a much darker feel. These scales and modes sound especially good over Fm chords.

F Aeolian (Natural Minor)

F G A♭ B♭ C D♭ E♭ F

e|------------------------------8-9-11-13-|
B|-----------------------8-9-11--------|
G|------------------8-10---------------|
D|----------8-10-11--------------------|
A|--8-10-11----------------------------|
E|-------------------------------------|

F Minor Pentatonic

F A♭ B♭ C E♭

e|---------------------1-4-|
B|-----------------1-4-----|
G|-------------1-3---------|
D|---------1-3-------------|
A|-----1-3-----------------|
E|-1-4---------------------|

F-Minor in Legendary Songs

The emotional depth of F minor appears in many powerful tracks:

• "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele – Strong F minor verse and chorus feel.
• "Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish – Modern dark pop built around minor chords including Fm.
• "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana – Verse progression has F minor energy.
• "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen (Jeff Buckley version) – Emotional ballad sections use Fm.
• "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac – Dark, driving minor feel with Fm flavors.
• "Chandelier" by Sia – Dramatic and emotional F minor sections.