Beginners might find learning minor chords daunting, but don’t let that deter you. Learning is easier than you might imagine!
Minor chords can be simplified down to just three basic keyboard notes: a root note, minor third and perfect fifth. Both major and minor triads share two of these notes while minor chords’ 3rd note differs by half step in pitch.
What is a minor chord?
Learning minor chords is an integral component of music theory. They can be utilized in numerous songs to convey different emotions and set different moods; furthermore, they make great tools for building progressions.
Minor chords are triads composed of the root note, flat third note and fifth scale degree of a scale arranged as follows. They are typically denoted with the letters m, m or m7 to denote that they belong to this family of chords.
Minor chords often create a sadder and melancholic atmosphere than their major counterparts, adding emotion or tension and excitement in fast-paced songs. Minor chords are great way to add contrast.
To play a minor chord, begin by playing its root note. Next, combine the third and fifth notes from the minor scale – known as third degree of minor scale or “flat seventh degree of minor scale”) into your chord to form it. Finally, to add extra complexity add in seventh degree (flat seventh) which can often be written as C maj 7, Cm7, or C7
How to play a minor chord on the piano
There are various methods for playing minor chords on piano. One way is by taking a major chord and then lowering it by half steps – known as a diminished chord – or by adding an augmented seventh note at its root chord root; both methods produce minor chords with equal sound quality.
When playing minor chords, keep in mind that their sound will be darker compared to playing major ones as their third is lower than their second.
One important note when playing minor chords is to play them in their correct key – without sharps or flats – which means no sharps or flats should appear within them. To learn how to do this, check out our lesson on chromatic scales; this lesson demonstrates how to identify all major and minor chord keys correctly.
Common minor chords on the piano
Minor chords can add a somber or melancholic tone to your piano playing, and there are various variations available to experiment with to find out which works best with your music.
There are various techniques for creating minor triad chords on piano. One method involves starting with a major chord and then lowering its third interval by half step; this creates a minor chord.
Another way to create a minor chord is to start from a root note and layer on top the third and fifth notes of the minor scale, creating what’s known as a diminished chord.
Minor chords can also be created by adding seventh notes to the basic root, third, and fifth notes of a major scale; this process is known as augmenting chords. Most augmented chords have numbers after their root note that correspond to how many steps above its origin the scale begins.
Variations on minor chords on the piano
Minor chords offer many variations that can help create different musical moods, with one common variation being adding a major seventh chord to an otherwise minor triad, creating an upbeat sounding chord.
One way of altering a minor chord is to shift its root note up or down an octave, creating different soundscapes and key signatures.
One way of altering the sound and effect of a minor chord is to add a ninth. This creates an entirely different timbre from its predecessor while creating more dramatic music.
Now that you understand the basics of minor chords, it’s time to put them into practice! Make sure to experiment with both major and minor chords so you become comfortable with their differences in sound. Have fun and if you want to learn even more chords check out our Chord Cheat Sheet page; for additional insight subscribe to The Note for exclusive interviews, articles, and lessons delivered right to your inbox!