Chord explorerAny chord, every finger.
Root
Type
Triads
Suspended
Sixths & adds
Sevenths
Extended
Voicing
Left hand
Hands
Cm7
C minor seventh
C · E♭ · G · B♭1 · ♭3 · 5 · ♭7RH · Root position · LH · Root position
You’re playing
Got a MIDI keyboard? Plug it in, play a chord, and we’ll name it.
How it works
A minor triad with the ♭7 stacked on top.
Build it
Play the minor triad, then add the note a whole step below the root's octave: the ♭7. In Cm7: C – E♭ – G – B♭. The top three notes form a major triad, so it is that major chord with C slipped underneath.
Sound
Warm and mellow rather than sad; the ♭7 softens the minor triad and lets it float.
Where you'll meet it
The workhorse of pop and worship: the ii heading to V (Dm7 → G in C), or the vi in a I – V – vi – IV loop.
Tip
Hold the minor triad with 1-2-3 and drop your pinky on the ♭7. In first inversion the ♭7 and root sit a whole step apart on top, so switch to 1-2-4-5.
Don't confuse with
same ♭7, but the third is major instead of minor
raise the ♭7 to a natural 7
lower the 5 a half-step to ♭5