Fm7

Fm7 is a minor seventh chord built on the note F. Its constituent notes are F, Ab, C, and Eb. In intervallic terms it is a root, minor third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh. It is notated as Fm7, or F-7, and can be voiced in various inversions: root position F-Ab-C-Eb; first inversion Ab-C-Eb-F; second inversion C-Eb-F-Ab; third inversion Eb-F-Ab-C.

In roman numeral analysis, Fm7 commonly functions as a iv7 chord in minor keys (for example in C minor) or as a ii7 in the key of Eb major, where it typically resolves to V7 (Bb7) and I (Eb). It is also diatonic in F natural minor and appears in several major-key contexts through modal interchange or secondary destinations.

In practice, Fm7 is widely used in jazz, funk, and pop progressions. It can appear as part of ii–V–I sequences in Eb major, as a subdominant color in minor-key progressions, or as a pivot chord borrowed from the parallel minor. Common voicings in piano include the four-note root-position F–Ab–C–Eb and convenient inversions for smooth bass motion. On guitar, Fm7 is commonly played in movable shapes, often using a barre form rooted on F or in easier partial-barre shapes to accommodate the muted string. The chord’s sound is darker and more introspective than F major seven, due to the flat third and flat seventh.