Chord reference · four-note chord
Fm7 chord (F minor seventh)
Fm7 is the F minor seventh chord. Play F, A♭, C, E♭ together to hear the chord in root position.
Fm7 chord notes and interval formula
The formula 1–♭3–5–♭7 means the chord is measured from F using the root, minor third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh. In semitone numbers from the root, the pattern is 0–3–7–10.
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Root | 0 | F |
| ♭3 | Minor Third | 3 | A♭ |
| 5 | Perfect Fifth | 7 | C |
| ♭7 | Minor Seventh | 10 | E♭ |
How to play Fm7 on piano
Start with the notes in root position from low to high: F – A♭ – C – E♭. Right hand 1–2–3–5; left hand 5–3–2–1 is a useful starting point, but black-key combinations and melodic movement may make another fingering more comfortable.
For a cleaner accompaniment, place the root in the left hand and play the remaining tones in the right. With extended chords, keep the third and seventh because they identify the chord quality most clearly.
How to play Fm7 on guitar
Try the shape 1-3-1-1-1-1 in standard tuning, read from low E to high E. The sounding-string details are: E fret 1: F; A fret 3: C; D fret 1: E♭; G fret 1: A♭; B fret 1: C; E fret 1: F. Keep every note clear and release pressure from strings marked “x.”
This is one voicing, not the only correct shape. The chord remains Fm7 whenever the essential pitch classes are present; doubling, omission, and bass-note choice change the voicing rather than the basic chord name.
Fm7 inversions and slash chords
Inversions keep the same notes but place a different chord tone in the bass. They are useful for smoother bass lines, compact keyboard movement, and alternative guitar voicings.
| Position | Symbol | Notes low to high | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root position | Fm7 | F – A♭ – C – E♭ | F |
| 1st inversion | Fm7/Ab | A♭ – C – E♭ – F | A♭ |
| 2nd inversion | Fm7/C | C – E♭ – F – A♭ | C |
| 3rd inversion | Fm7/Eb | E♭ – F – A♭ – C | E♭ |
What Fm7 sounds like and where it fits
The F minor seventh chord is mellow and flexible. Minor seventh chords are flexible diatonic colors. They frequently appear as ii7, iii7, and vi7 chords in major keys and as tonic or subdominant colors in minor and modal music.
Fm7 compared with similar chords
Small interval changes create different chord names. Use this table to avoid confusing Fm7 with nearby structures.
| Chord | Quality | Formula | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fm | Minor | 1–♭3–5 | F, A♭, C |
| F7 | Dominant Seventh | 1–3–5–♭7 | F, A, C, E♭ |
| Fm7b5 | Half-Diminished Seventh | 1–♭3–♭5–♭7 | F, A♭, C♭, E♭ |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the Fm7 chord?
The Fm7 chord contains F, A♭, C, E♭. Its interval formula is 1–♭3–5–♭7.
How do you play Fm7 on piano?
Play F, A♭, C, E♭ together. A practical root-position fingering is right hand 1–2–3–5; left hand 5–3–2–1; adjust the fingering to your hand and musical context.
How do you play Fm7 on guitar?
One compact standard-tuning shape is 1-3-1-1-1-1 from the low E string to the high E string. An “x” means mute that string.
What does the symbol Fm7 mean?
The root is F. The suffix m7 identifies a minor seventh structure with the formula 1–♭3–5–♭7.
How many inversions does Fm7 have?
A 4-note chord has 4 closed-position arrangements when every chord tone is retained: root position plus 3 inversions. Extended practical voicings may omit notes.