When learning about music theory, the C major scale is often the starting point. But C minor is a bit different. The key has three flats, and the notes in the scale are C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, and C. The natural major is Eb major, and it is not the most common choice.
But this doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of great songs in the key of C minor. Famous composers like Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms, all experimented with C minor, and it can be a great option for pop and rock music.
The key is often described as longing and soft and as one of the best ways to express sadness or solemnity. If you are playing a guitar, experimenting with different keys is an excellent idea. It will give you a chance to try out something new, and you might even get a couple of ideas as well.
Pink Floyd – High Hopes
High Hopes is one of the most famous songs by Pink Floyd, and it was released in 1994 on The Division Bell. The majority of the song is in C minor, and the chiming of the bell at the beginning is also in the key of C.
As you can expect from Gilmour, playing the song is not that challenging unless you want to perfectly play the solo. In this case, it will take you a lot of practice. You will need a slide, and it is still possible to play it on an electric guitar. You won’t need to buy a pedal steel guitar.
No Doubt – Don’t Speak
Don’t Speak is probably the most famous song by No Doubt, and it was written by Gwen Stefani and Eric Stefani. It was released in 1996, and it was nominated for Song of the Year. The song appeared on the third album called Tragic Kingdom.
To play, you will need a couple of barre chords, but it is possible to simplify the process by placing the capo on the first fret. Of course, this won’t eliminate the need for barre chords, but you won’t need to play E major and F major barre chords in the intro and verse.
Depeche Mode – Enjoy The Silence
Depeche Mode is among the best synth-pop bands you can find today, and Enjoy the Silence is a fan-favorite song. It was released in 1990 as a part of the Violator album. Since the majority of songs by Depeche Mode are not focused on guitar, you will need to do your own adaptation.
This also means that the songs are not too challenging. As always, it is possible to play a song without a capo, but placing it on the third fret will make everything simpler. It will allow you to play an open A minor chord instead of a barre C minor one. But capo is not mandatory.
Enjoy The Silence Guitar Chords
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Parallel Universe
Parallel Universe was a promo single, and it appeared on Californication in 1999. While the song didn’t get a video or a single, it remained one of the most popular tracks on the album. Red Hot Chili Peppers played it on numerous shows after Californication, and it is a great piece to learn.
The song is in C minor, and you can choose whether you want to play chords or follow the main theme on your guitar. Both methods can be great, and it mostly comes down to your expertise and how complex it will be for you.
Parallel Universe Guitar Chords
Bon Jovi – You Give Love A Bad Name
You Give Love a Bad Name was released in 1986, and it appeared on Slippery When Wet. It is among the most famous songs by Bon Jovi, and it can be so much fun to play. The song is in C minor, and it sounds great on an electric guitar.
Needless to say, you won’t be able to avoid barre chords. Some versions of the song are played with a capo, but if you want to play a version from the album, you will need to master a few riffs and barre chords.
You Give Love A Bad Name Guitar Chords
Dio – Holy Diver
Holy Diver is a debut album by Dio, and it was released in 1983. The lead single from the album has the same name, and it is one of the most recognizable songs by Dio. The song follows a savior from a different planet, and his fight to save the people and sacrifice for them.
Learning how to play Holy Diver is not too challenging. It starts with a simple riff progression. As a result, you won’t need to play full barre chords unless it’s easier for you. The only tricky part is the solo, but you can either improvise or learn how to play the original version.
Sting – Desert Rose
Over the years, Sting experimented with different styles and genres. Brand New Day was released in 1999. The album had plenty of interesting songs, but one of the most popular ones was Desert Rose. It was recorded with Algerian musician Cheb Mami.
The song doesn’t have a prominent guitar, which is one of many unexpected details about this song. But you can still make your own interpretation. It is written in the key of C minor, and you can easily follow the tune.
Gary Moore – Midnight Blues
Today, Gary Moore is known for his incredible blues-rock style, but things were a bit different in the nineties. He was mostly known for hard rock and jazz fusion, and it came as a surprise when he released his eighth album called Still Got the Blues.
Now, the base of this song is quite simple as with the majority of blues songs. But when it comes to fillers and solos, you might need a bit of practice. The best approach is to improvise in the key of C minor and let the song guide you.
System Of A Down – Aerials
Aerials is a single from the album Toxicity, and it was released in 2002. It was also the first song by System of a Down to top the charts, and there are many fans out there who will appreciate this one.
The first thing you will need to do is tune your guitar to drop C. So, the notes should be C, G, C, F, A, and D. As for the rest of the song, it is not that challenging to play, but you will need some practice if you are a beginner.
Savage Garden – To The Moon And Back
Savage Garden is an Australian pop duo, and their most famous song is To the Moon and Back. The song was released in 1996, and it was one of the biggest hits of the year. Today, many people know this tune, and it’s so much fun to play.
More importantly, To the Moon and Back is a beginner-friendly song, and you won’t struggle with it. It starts with a cool intro, and the entire song is in C minor. You won’t need a capo, but you will need to play a couple of barre chords.
To The Moon And Back Guitar Chords
Adele – Rolling In The Deep
Rolling in the Deep is a single from Adele’s second album 21, and it was released in 2010. The song became an instant hit, and many people praised Adele’s performance. Fortunately, you won’t need to be one of the best singers in the world to play this song.
All you will need to do is follow a few chords, and you will be good to go. While you might be able to experiment with a capo, it will be impossible to eliminate all the barre chords. This is why the majority of players play it without a capo.
Rolling In The Deep Guitar Chords
Queens Of The Stone Age – No One Knows
No One Knows was released in 2002, and the song appeared on the Songs for the Deaf album by Queens of the Stone Age. It is also one of the most popular songs by the band, and it’s easy to play.
Now, you can play the simpler or the more accurate version. It is mostly based on your skills. But even if you go for the basic one, it will still sound good. Needless to say, you will need to play a couple of barre chords, and it’s not something you can avoid.
Survivor – Eye of the Tiger
Eye of the Tiger is a song by Survivor, it was released in 1982, and it is one of the biggest rock songs ever. The song was written specifically for Rocky III, and the lyrics are based on the dialogue in the movie.
The song is so much fun to play, and it is great for intermediate players. Of course, even if you are a beginner you should check it out. With enough practice, you will be able to learn how to play this song. One way you can simplify the process is by placing a capo on the third fret.
Eye Of The Tiger Guitar Chords
Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) is a song by Eurythmics, and it was released in 1983. The song was written by Annie Lenox and David A. Stewart, who are the two members of the duo. Needless to say, it is one of the biggest hits of the eighties.
If you are familiar with the tune, you are probably aware that there are no guitars in it. But this shouldn’t stop you from making your own version on either acoustic or electric guitar. The chord progression is quite simple, and there are great ways to spice it up a bit.
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) Guitar Chords
The Cardigans – My Favourite Game
The Cardigans are a Swedish rock band, and their fourth album was called Gran Turismo. It was released in 1998, and My Favourite Game is one of eleven songs on it. Over the years, the popularity of the song kept growing, and it is one of their most famous tunes.
One of the first things you should know is that the song is played with a capo, but this time, it will be on the first fret. And while it will not eliminate the need for barre chords, it will simplify the song. At least a bit.
My Favourite Game Guitar Chords
Maroon 5 – She Will Be Loved
She Will Be Loved is a song from the debut album Songs About Jane by Maroon 5, and it was released in 2004. The album became almost an instant hit thanks to songs like This Love and She Will Be Loved, and it is a nice opportunity for you to expand your repertoire.
There are a few different ways to play the song. You can place a capo on the third fret, or even place it on the first. The live version of the song is often different, especially when the primary focus is on Adam Levine and James Valentine.
She Will Be Loved Guitar Chords
Mark Knopfler – Privateering
Privateering is the name of the seventh album by Mark Knopfler, as well as the lead single from it. Mark Knopfler is one of the best guitar players of all time, and his solo career is quite different from his time in Dire Straits. But there are a few similarities.
For Privateering, you will need a capo on the third fret, and the song is not too challenging. However, you should expect a few tricky parts as with any other song played by Knopfler. Privateering is a bit simpler than his other songs, and it’s quite fun to play.
Santana – Europa
Europa is a song by Santana, and it was released in 1976. The full name of the song is Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile), and it is an instrumental. One of the first things to notice is that the song has that famous Santana sound, and it is an amazing piece to learn.
There are two main approaches when learning how to play instrumentals. You can learn the entire song as it is, or you can learn the main parts and improvise around them. Both methods can be good, and it is up to you to choose which one suits you best.
Leonard Cohen – Dance Me To The End Of Love
Dance Me to the End of Love first appeared on the Various Positions album from 1984, and it is an incredible song. If you are a fan of slower ballads on an acoustic guitar, this might be a perfect choice for you.
The song is great for various skill levels, but beginners might need to practice it a bit. One thing you should know is that the song is played with a capo on the third fret, and the chord progression is fairly simple.
Dance Me To The End Of Love Guitar Chords
Lady Gaga – Paparazzi
Paparazzi is a song from Lady Gaga’s debut album The Fame, it was released in 2009. The song was also one of the few singles, and it was followed by a music video. This techno/pop ballad is an interesting piece to play, especially if you are a fan of Lady Gaga.
As you can probably expect, the song is played with a capo, and you should place it on the first fret. The chords are not too challenging, and the song is beginner-friendly. So, if you are looking to improve your skills, Paparazzi can be a great option.
Jimi Hendrix – All Along The Watchtower
All Along the Watchtower was written by Bob Dylan, but people often associate this song with Jimi Hendrix thanks to the incredible cover by Jimi Hendrix Experience. Now, there are a few things to discuss here.
Firstly, the original song is in the key of C minor, but Hendrix played with a half-step down tuning. This means that the guitar was tuned in Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Bb, Eb, and he would play what would look like C#m. But you can play the song in C minor without any issues.
All Along The Watchtower Guitar Chords
Britney Spears – …Baby One More Time
…Baby One More Time was a debut single by Britney Spears, and it was released in 1998. Over the years, the popularity of the song only grew, and if you are interested in learning how to play it, now is a perfect opportunity.
The first thing to do is to place a capo on the third fret, and that’s it. The song is in the standard tuning, and there aren’t too many complex chords. This makes the song beginner-friendly, and a great option for practicing chord progressions.
…Baby One More Time Guitar Chords
Arctic Monkeys – I Wanna Be Yours
AM was released in 2013, and it brought numerous hits. If you are a fan of Arctic Monkeys, you will probably have a problem picking your favorite song. One song that is a bit different is I Wanna Be Yours. This is actually a poem written by John Cooper Clarke, and Arctic Monkeys adapted it into a song.
You can play it with or without a capo, and the progression is quite simple. If you are more comfortable with a capo, you should place it on the third fret. Otherwise, all chords will be barre chords, which many players would rather avoid.
I Wanna Be Yours Guitar Chords
John Mayer – Neon
If you like challenges, Neon is a song you need to check out as soon as possible. It was written by John Mayer, and it was released in 2001 on Room for Squares. While the studio version is pretty similar to the live one, the version Mayer performed in LA is among the best performances ever.
The song is played entirely on guitar. So, the first thing to do is to tune your low E string to C. The rest of the strings should remain in standard tuning. This means you will have C, A, D, G, B, and E. And you will need a lot of practice.
Billie Eilish – Ilomilo
Ilomilo is a song from Billie Eilish’s debut album called When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? The album was released in 2020, and ilomilo was the final single. It is an interesting track to learn, and there is plenty of room to experiment.
Since the majority of songs by Billie Eilish don’t include guitars, you won’t need to follow a strict pattern. Instead, there is a simple chord progression. You can also choose whether you want to play the song with a capo on the third fret or use barre chords instead.
Ariana Grande – Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored
Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored is a song from Ariana Grande’s fifth album called Thank U, Next. Both the album and songs are stylized in lowercase. The song is a mixture of R&B, pop, and trap, and there are no guitars in it.
As a result, you will get a chance to make your own version. The chord progression is quite simple, and there are only a few chords you will need to learn. Additionally, placing a capo on the third fret will simplify it a bit more.
Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored Guitar Chords
Franz Ferdinand – Jacqueline
Jacqueline is a song from the album called Franz Ferdinand, and it was released in 2004. This indie rock tune is quite fun to play, even though it is not the most popular song on the record. It is a nice mixture of simple chords and guitar playing, which is a nice way to improve your skills.
The band has two guitars, and you will need to focus on one when playing the song. You can also just follow the riffs as you play, and add solos as you see fit. The song is not too hard to play, but it might take you a bit of practice.
Jeff Beck – Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers
Jeff Beck is among the best players of all time, and his second album Blow by Blow introduced one of the most famous instrumentals. Yes, I am talking about Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers. The song was written by Steve Wonder, and dedicated to the incredible Roy Buchanan.
The first thing you should know is that this is not an easy song to play especially if you are looking to nail the tone and style of Jeff Beck. It will take you a lot of practice and dedication to make it sound good.
Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers Guitar Chords
Bloodhound Gang – The Bad Touch
The Bad Touch is a song by Bloodhound Gang, and it was released in 1999. The song became a hit in Europe, and it topped numerous charts. When it comes to playing the tune, it is perfect for beginners.
You will need a capo on the third fret, and four basic chords. Now, it is impossible for you to avoid all barre chords, but you will minimize the number you will need to use throughout the song.
Duran Duran – Come Undone
Come Undone is a song from the seventh album called Duran Duran (The Wedding Album). It was released in 1993, and Come Undone was the second single. Now, you will need a lot of pedals to nail the tone, and the song is a bit different from others on the list.
The chords are unusual and the progression is quite interesting. As a result, you won’t need to play a lot of barre chords if you go for the original method. Otherwise, you can experiment with the rhythm and try out something new.
Conclusion
The key of C minor is often described as a declaration of love, especially an unhappy one since it is a minor key. When it comes to the C minor scale, it has three flats and they are Eb, Ab, and Bb.
It is an interesting key to explore, and there are plenty of incredible songs in this key. Based on the position of the C minor chord, it is often possible to use a capo on the third fret, making it easier to play chords.
However, you don’t need a capo if you don’t want to use it or if you are comfortable with barre chords. The only thing that matters is that you continue learning and exploring different genres and songs. And there are plenty of options that are in the key of C minor.
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