How to play the F minor over C chord on guitar

The Fm/C chord, pronounced "F minor over C," is a unique and intriguing voicing. It combines the somber tones of an F minor chord with the stability of a C bass note. This chord is particularly notable in jazz and neo-soul music, adding a sophisticated flavor to progressions. Experimenting with the Fm/C can open up new creative possibilities for guitarists across various genres.

The most popular way to play the F minor over C chord on guitar is by using a barre chord shape on the 8th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a F minor over C chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings on the 8th fret, pressing them down firmly against the fretboard to create a barre chord.
2. Place your ring finger on the 10th fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 10th fret of the 3rd (G) string.

To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to strum downwards, hitting all six strings. You can also experiment with different strumming patterns to create various rhythms.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the F minor over C chord, try playing an Fm barre chord at the first fret. Place your index finger across all strings on the first fret, and your middle, ring, and pinky fingers on the 2nd fret of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th strings, respectively.

Playing the F minor over C chord as a barre chord allows you to easily transition between chords and create a fuller sound compared to the open chord version.

Here's how to play an F minor over C barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across all strings at the 8th fret to form the barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 9th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 10th fret of the 4th (D) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 10th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
5. Strum from the 5th (A) string down to the 1st (high E) string.

The F minor over C chord (Fm/C) is often used in progressions to create a melancholic, introspective, or bittersweet emotional atmosphere. Some common chord progressions featuring this chord include:

• i-III-VII-iv (Fm-Ab-Eb-Bbm)
• i-VII-iv-V (Fm-Eb-Bbm-C)
• i-iv-VII-III (Fm-Bbm-Eb-Ab). Used in "Mad World" by Tears for Fears and "Creep" by Radiohead.
• i-VI-III-VII (Fm-Db-Ab-Eb)
• i-iv-i-V (Fm-Bbm-Fm-C)

To master the F minor over C guitar chord, try this simple drill: play each note of the chord individually, starting with the lowest note and working your way up. Focus on cleanly fretting each note and letting it ring out before moving on to the next. Once you've played each note separately, try playing them together as a chord.

Another effective drill is to practice transitioning between the F minor over C chord and other chords you commonly use. Start slowly, ensuring each transition is smooth and precise, then gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the changes.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the F minor over C chord.

1. Creep by Radiohead (G, B, C, Cm)
2. Say It Ain't So by Weezer (C, Dm, F, G)
3. Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton (A, E, Fm, C)
4. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (Am, C, D, Fm)
5. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana (F, Bb, Ab, Db)
6. All Along the Watchtower by Bob Dylan (Am, G, F)
7. Landslide by Fleetwood Mac (C, G, Am)
8. Hotel California by Eagles (Bm, F#, A, E, G, D, Em)
9. Mad World by Gary Jules (Am, F, C, G)
10. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (G, Em, Am, C, D)