Cm/G on guitar: C minor with G in the bass
Cm/G is the C minor chord (C, E♭, G) with its 5th, G, as the lowest note: the 2nd inversion of Cm. The notes are the same as in Cm; only the one at the bottom changes.
- Notes
- CE♭G
- Bass
- G 5th of the chord
How to play Cm/G on guitar
-
Shape 1 · 1st position
-
Shape 2 · fret 3 · barre
-
Shape 3 · fret 5
-
Shape 4 · fret 8 · barre
Where Cm/G shows up
The 5th in the bass is unstable and asks to move. The textbook use is the cadence: Cm/G → G7 → Cm, with the bass holding the same note through the first two chords (the "cadential six-four").
Other positions of Cm
Frequently asked questions
What does Cm/G mean?
Cm/G reads "Cm over G": you play Cm and the lowest note is G. In a chord symbol, whatever comes after the slash is always the bass.
What is the difference between Cm/G and Cm?
The notes are the same (C, E♭, G); only the lowest one changes. With G in the bass, Cm is in 2nd inversion, and the bass line can move by step between chords.
How do you play Cm/G on guitar?
The shapes on this page go from easiest to hardest. In all of them G is the lowest note; the low strings that would sound below it are not played (x).