Learn › F Minor Chord Inversions (Fm, Fm/Ab, Fm/C)
New Released in April 2026
F Minor Chord Inversions (Fm, Fm/Ab, Fm/C)
F minor chord inversions: root position Fm (F Ab C), 1st inversion Fm/Ab (Ab C F) and 2nd inversion Fm/C (C F Ab). Same three notes, a different note in the bass. Learn to spot each inversion by its shape, then use them to move between chords without jumps.
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F minor chord: root position, 1st and 2nd inversion
Same notes, new bass: that is all an inversion changes.
Root position: F Ab C
1st inversion: Ab C F
2nd inversion: C F Ab
- Root position: starts on F, a white key; black keys: Ab
- 1st inversion: starts on Ab, a black key; black keys: Ab
- 2nd inversion: starts on C, a white key; black keys: Ab
Spotting each inversion of Fm
Look for the fourth: it sits on top in the 1st inversion and at the bottom in the 2nd.
| Position | Bass | Name | Figured bass | Shape (bottom to top) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root position | F | Fm | 5/3 | minor 3rd + major 3rd |
| 1st inversion | Ab | Fm/Ab | 6 (6/3) | major 3rd + perfect 4th |
| 2nd inversion | C | Fm/C | 6/4 | perfect 4th + minor 3rd |
Both hands, all three positions
| Position | Right hand | Left hand |
|---|---|---|
| Root position (F Ab C) | 1-3-5 | 5-3-1 |
| 1st inversion (Ab C F) | 1-2-5 | 5-3-1 |
| 2nd inversion (C F Ab) | 1-3-5 | 5-2-1 |
The 1st inversion is the only one that changes the right hand: 1-2-5, because the fourth sits on top.
Inversions in a progression: Fm → Bbm/F → C/E → Fm
Played in root position, Fm, Bbm and C make the hand jump. With inversions every chord sits in the same place: Fm → Bbm/F → C/E → Fm. Most notes stay, the others move a step.
- From Fm to Bbm/F: F stays, Ab → Bb, C → Db.
- From Bbm/F to C/E: F → E, Bb → G, Db → C.
- From C/E to Fm: E → F, G → Ab, C stays.
Train Fm inversions in a game
ChordRunner accepts every voicing, so you can drill Fm/Ab and Fm/C at speed between other chords. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.
Play the demoThe Fm chord · All piano chords · Chord inversions explained
Common questions
What notes are in the Fm chord 1st inversion?
Ab C F, from the bottom up. It is still Fm; the slash name Fm/Ab tells you that Ab is the lowest note.
How do I recognise Fm/C on the piano?
Look at the lowest interval. In Fm/C it is a perfect fourth, C to F; the top note of that fourth, F, is the root.
Which fingers play Fm/Ab and Fm/C?
Fm/Ab: right hand 1-2-5 (the fourth C-F sits on top), left hand 5-3-1. Fm/C: right hand 1-3-5, left hand 5-2-1 because the fourth is now at the bottom.
Why learn Fm inversions?
They let you change chords without moving the hand. Fm → Bbm/F → C/E → Fm uses inversions so most notes stay where they are and the others move by a step.
Can I practise Fm/Ab and Fm/C with a MIDI keyboard?
Yes. ChordRunner detects a USB MIDI keyboard automatically and also listens through the microphone to an acoustic piano. Every inversion of Fm is accepted, so you can drill them in any order.
Your instrument is the controller.
ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.
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