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Fm7 Piano Chord

    Piano Diagram of Fm7 in Root Position

    Fm7 Chord - Root Position - Piano Diagram

    Fm7 is a minor chord built on the key of F with an added minor 7th. It is formed by the notes F, Ab, C, and Eb. In this article, we’ll explore the music theory underlying the Fm7 chord, including its construction, common voicings, and its role in chord progressions.

     

    Structure of Fm7

    Notes
    F, Ab, C, Eb

    Intervals
    R, m3, 5, m7

     

    Finger Position

    Left Hand
    5, 3, 2, 1

    5, 4, 2, 1

    Right Hand
    1, 2, 4, 5

    1, 2, 3, 4

     

    Fm7 Chord Inversions

     

    The Fm7 chord has a total of 3 inversions:

    Root Position: F Ab C Eb
    1st Inversion: Ab C Eb F
    2nd Inversion: C Eb F Ab
    3rd Inversion: Eb F Ab C

    Piano Keyboard Diagrams

    Fm7 Chord Equivalencies

    Rearranging the notes of a chord can result in unique and interesting chord equivalencies. This is particularly true for 7th chords, where we can create a distinct type of chord by rearranging the notes of a minor 7th chord in a specific way.

    For instance, if we take the 1st inversion of a minor 7th chord, where the 3rd note becomes the root note, we end up with a major 6th chord (also known as an “add 6th” chord).

    Let’s consider the Fm7 chord, which comprises the notes F, Ab, C, and Eb. If we rearrange the notes such that Ab becomes the root note, we obtain an Ab6 chord with the notes Ab, C, Eb, and F.

    1st Inversion of Fm7 = Ab6

    The reason why the 1st inversion of a minor 7th chord results in a major 6th chord is due to the note relationships between the chords. When we move the 3rd note to become the root note, we end up with a chord that features a major 3rd, perfect 5th, and a major 6th interval.

    Music Theory and Harmony of Fm7

     

    In music theory, m7 chords, also known as minor seventh chords, are commonly used and have a melancholic or introspective quality. They can be found in various genres such as jazz, blues, pop, and classical music. These chords add richness and tension to a musical piece and are often used as tonic, subdominant, or dominant chords.

     

    Building the Fm7 Chord: Different Approaches

    When building a minor seventh (m7) chord, there are a few different approaches you can take. These approaches can be used interchangeably to construct m7 chords and provide different perspectives on building these chords:

    Starting from the F Major Scale

    F minor 7th is built by combining the Root, a minor 3rd, a 5th, and a minor 7th interval from a minor scale, however, for educational purposes, it may be clearer to demonstrate its construction using a major scale, as it better illustrates the relationship between intervals and their qualities.

    For example, to build an Fm7 chord, you can start with the F Major scale, which consists of the notes F, G, A, Bb, C, D, and E.

     

    F Major Diatonic Scale

    F Major Scale

     

    F Major Diatonic Scale up to octave Keyless Notation

    F Major Scale – Keyless Notation

     

    To create an Fm7 chord, apply the formula R, m3, 5, m7 in the following manner:

    1. Begin with the Root note, F.
    2. Select the 3rd interval, which is A then lower it down by a half-step to get the minor 3rd Ab.
    3. Include the 5th note, C.
    4. Finally, add the minor 7th interval, Eb.

    By following this simple formula, you can create a minor 7th chord from any major scale.

     

    by Combining Intervals

    Another way to form a minor 7th chord is by combining specific intervals – a minor 3rd, a major 3rd, and another minor 3rd.

    m3 + 3 + m3 = minor 7th Chords

    If we observe the intervals between the notes, we can notice that F-Ab creates a minor 3rd interval, Ab-C forms a major 3rd interval, and C-Eb is a minor 3rd interval. By stacking these three intervals together, we can build the Fm7 chord.

     

    How to Use F min7 in a Chord Progression

     

    The F minor 7th chord can have various harmonic functions, depending on its context within a piece of music. Here you can see on what degrees it appears naturally:

    on Natural minor Scales

    Minor Scales i ii III iv v VI VII
    F F min7 Gm7b5 Ab Maj7 Bb min7 C min7 Db Maj7 Eb7
    C C min7 Dm7b5 Eb Maj7 F min7 G min7 Ab Maj7 Bb7
    Bb Bb min7 Cm7b5 Db Maj7 Eb min7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7
    • Tonic chord in F minor
    • Subdominant chord in C minor
    • Dominant chord in Bb minor

     

    on Major Scales

    Major Scales I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Eb Eb Maj7 F min7 G min7 Ab Maj7 Bb7 C min7 Dm7b5
    Db Db Maj7 Eb min7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7 Bb min7 Cm7b5
    Ab Ab Maj7 Bb min7 C min7 Db Maj7 Eb7 F min7 Gm7b5
    • Supertonic chord in Eb Major
    • Mediant chord in Db Major
    • Submediant chord in Ab Major

     

    Fm7 Function in Major and Minor Keys

    Understanding Scale Degrees

    To understand the relationships between the notes in a scale and their functions within chords, it’s essential to know about scale degrees. The diatonic major scale is made up of seven degrees, each with its own unique role in creating the overall harmony of the scale.

    1. Starting with the first degree of the scale, known as the Tonic, this note serves as the anchor for the music. It establishes a stable tonal center that acts as the foundation for the scale.
    2. Moving on to the second degree, called the Supertonic, is often used as a transitional note between the Tonic and other notes in the scale. It creates a sense of motion within the melody or harmony.
    3. The third degree of the scale is the Mediant, which sits halfway between the Tonic and Dominant notes. It helps establish whether the scale is major or minor.
    4. The fourth degree, known as the Subdominant, is used to complement the Dominant and add tension and resolution to the music.
    5. The fifth degree is the Dominant, which creates tension and anticipation within the melody or harmony. This note is typically resolved by returning to the Tonic.
    6. The sixth degree, the Submediant, is often employed as a transitional note between the Dominant and Tonic, adding a sense of stability and restfulness to the music.
    7. Finally, the seventh degree is the Leading tone, located one half-step below the Tonic. It creates a strong sense of tension and a desire to resolve to the Tonic. This note is frequently used to create a sense of resolution and finality in the melody or harmony.

     

    Fm7 as Tonic Chord in F Minor

    In the key of F minor, Fm7 can serve as the Tonic chord. This means that it’s the chord that creates a sense of stability and resolution, acting as the starting point and tonal center of the scale.

    i ii III iv v VI VII
    F min7 Gm7b5 Ab Maj7 Bb min7 C min7 Db Maj7 Eb7

     

    Fm7 Chord Progressions as i degree

    The following chord progressions are examples of how F minor 7th can serve as the tonic chord (i degree). I’ve added a possible voicing but it’s just a suggestion.

    i VI VII III
    i VI VII III
    F min7

    (F, Ab, C, Eb)

    		 Db Maj7

    (F, Ab, C, Db)

    		 Eb7

    (Eb, G, Bb, Db)

    		 Ab Maj7

    (Eb, G, Ab, C)

     

    Chromatic modulation
    i iΔ i7 i6
    F min

    (F, Ab, C, F)

    		 FmMaj7

    (F, Ab, C, E)

    		 F min7

    (F, Ab, C, Eb)

    		 F min6

    (F, Ab, C, D)

     

    i iv VI VII
    i iv VI VII
    F min7

    (F, Ab, C, Eb)

    		 Bb min7

    (F, Ab, Bb, D)

    		 Db Maj7

    (Db, F, Ab, C)

    		 Eb7

    (Db, Eb, G, Bb)

     

    Fm7 as Subdominant Chord in C Minor

    F minor 7th can also appear as the subdominant chord (iv degree) in the key of C minor.

    i ii III iv v VI VII
    C min7 Dm7b5 Eb Maj7 F min7 G min7 Ab Maj7 Bb7
    Fm7 Chord Progressions as iv degree

    The following chord progressions feature an Fm7 chord as the subdominant (iv degree):

    iv III VI VII
    iv III VI VII
    F min7 Eb Maj7 Ab Maj7 Bb7

     

    i iv VI v
    i iv VI v
    C min7 F min7 Ab Maj7 G min7

     

    Fm7 as Dominant Chord in Bb Minor

    In Bb minor, Fm7 can be used as the dominant chord. As a dominant minor chord in a minor key, the Fm7 creates a sense of tension and anticipation, leading to the resolution of the tonic chord, which in this case is Bbm.

    i ii III iv v VI VII
    Bb min7 Cm7b5 Db Maj7 Eb min7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7

     

    Fm7 as v degree – Chord Progressions

    If you want to hear how F minor 7th sounds as the dominant chord in the Bb minor scale, try playing the following chord progressions:

    i iv VI v
    i iv VI v
    Bb min7 Eb min7 Gb Maj7 F min7

     

    i v VI VII
    i v VI VII
    Bb min7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7

     

    i VI v iv
    i VI v iv
    Bb min7 Gb Maj7 F min7 Eb min7

     

    Fm7 as Supertonic Chord in Eb Major

    Although often associated with minor keys, Fm7 can also be used in major keys. In the key of Eb major, for example, Fm7 functions as the supertonic chord, which is located on the second degree of the scale.

    In this context, Fm7 creates a slightly tense and unresolved sound, adding a feeling of anticipation or expectation as it typically leads to the dominant or subdominant chords.

    I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Eb Maj7 F min7 G min7 Ab Maj7 Bb7 C min7 Dm7b5

     

    Fm7 Chord Progressions as ii degree

    Try playing the following chord progressions to better understand how the Fm7 chord functions as the supertonic (ii) chord in the key of Eb major.

    ii V I
    ii V I
    F min7 Bb7 Eb Maj7

     

    I IV ii V iii vi ii V
    I IV ii V iii vi ii V
    Eb Maj7 Ab Maj7 F min7 Bb7 G min7 C min7 F min7 Bb7

     

    Fm7 as Mediant Chord in Db Major

    Fm7 has yet another function apart from its positions in minor and major keys. It can also serve as the mediant (iii) chord in the key of Db major, which is located on the third degree of the scale.

    I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Db Maj7 Eb min7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7 Bb min7 Cm7b5

     

    Fm7 Chord Progressions as iii degree

    To better understand how Fm7 serves as the mediant in the Db major scale, you can try playing the following chord progressions:

    I iii IV V
    I iii IV V
    Db Maj7 F min7 Gb Maj7 Ab7

     

    I iii ii V
    I iii ii V
    Db Maj7 F min7 Eb min7 Ab7

     

    I iii vi IV
    I iii vi IV
    Db Maj7 F min7 Bb min7 Gb Maj7

     

    Fm7 as Submediant Chord in Ab Major

    You can play an Fm7 on the sixth degree of the Ab major scale where it functions as the submediant chord. The submediant chord usually brings a sense of relaxation and stability to a chord progression.

    I ii iii IV V vi vii
    Ab Maj7 Bb min7 C min7 Db Maj7 Eb7 F min7 Gm7b5

     

    Fm7 as vi degree – Chord Progressions

    You can explore the sound of Fm7 as the submediant chord in the key of Ab major by playing the following chord progressions:

    I iii vi V
    I iii vi V
    Ab Maj7 C min7 F min7 Eb7

     

    I vi ii V
    I vi ii V
    Ab Maj7 F min7 Bb min7 Eb7

     

    I IV ii V iii vi ii V
    I IV ii V iii vi ii V
    Ab Maj7 Db Maj7 Bb min7 Eb7 C min7 F min7 Bb min7 Eb7

     

    Alternative Names for Fm7 Chord

    • F-7
    • Fa -7
    • Fa m7
    • Fm7th
    • F min7
    • Fa min7
    • F minor 7th
    • F minor seventh

     

    Conclusion

    The chord progressions and examples presented in this post provide a comprehensive overview of the most common uses of the Fmin7 chord. It’s important to note, however, that there are many advanced harmony-related topics that could not be included due to space constraints. These topics include chord progressions built on harmonic and melodic scales, modal scales, hidden tonality, secondary dominants and other chord substitutions, non-functional harmony and atonal music, modal interchange and borrowed chords, voice leading and counterpoint, chromatisms, jazz harmony…I mean, music theory is a huge topic!

    Although I couldn’t cover all of these topics in my post, I encourage readers to continue exploring these areas in their own study and research. By expanding your knowledge in these advanced areas of music theory, you can gain a deeper understanding of the harmonic possibilities that exist beyond the basics presented here.

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