Add minor chords to your repertoire for an atmospheric, melancholic touch in your music. These chords contrast starkly with the optimistic nature of major chords and can help express many different emotions in songs.
To create a minor chord, all that’s necessary is lowering the third from a major scale by one fret and adding a perfect fifth above its root note.
A minor chord
The A minor chord is one of the most frequently-used minor guitar chords, often representing transition from happy to sad in a chord progression and providing texture by creating tension within songs. Furthermore, it works well alongside minor 6 and major 7 chords to further contrast a progression.
For creating a minor chord, begin by finding the root note of your scale and finding its minor third note above it. Lower this note half step to form an A minor chord.
To play an A minor chord, place your index finger at fret 1 of string B and use your middle finger on G fret 2, and strum just the thinnest strings at frets two and three. This version of the chord requires just two fingers for playing; its simplicity makes it ideal for beginners looking to start learning A minor. Since strumming all strings can make the sound too thin if done alone, pairing this chord with others voicings helps create fuller sounds.
B minor chord
The B minor chord is an iconic chord found in many popular songs and can be played using various techniques; some methods may be easier than others, so it is crucial to learn the correct fingerings in order to play this chord more consistently and precisely. By employing proper techniques you’ll create more consistent and precise chords!
To create a classic B minor chord, the traditional way of playing it involves barring its fifth string across first and second strings with your index finger. However, for beginners just starting out it may take some practice before becoming comfortable with this style of playing barre chords.
If you’re having difficulty barrering a B minor chord, consider changing up your hand positioning and practicing in shorter sessions to avoid overexertion of your hands. Over time, gradually extend this practice time in order to increase chord-change speed and make chord changes more fluid.
C minor chord
C minor is one of the most frequently used minor chords, evoking feelings of melancholy or sadness while simultaneously stirring passion, longing or sobriety – making it perfect for songs that express unrequited love or feelings of longing and sadness.
A standard C minor chord comprises three notes–C, Eb and G–from the C minor scale; these three notes can also be played as barre chords which require barring out all four strings with your index finger.
However, you can reduce time and effort spent playing guitar by learning to create C minor chords using only three fingers! Simply move the basic F major chord shape up two frets until it forms a C minor chord; for practice purposes use ChordBank’s Chord Coach which will listen and provide guidance finger by finger!
D minor chord
The D minor chord is one of the first chords guitar players learn, as it is widely used in popular songs and used for melancholy music. Based on the natural minor scale, this chord is very easy to play – though keep in mind that minor chords differ from major ones by virtue of having different quality third notes; major chords having major third notes while minor ones use minor ones instead.
To create a D minor chord, there are two ways you can approach its construction. A barred version involves placing your index finger across all five bottom strings at fret 5 with your middle finger placed on fret 4, middle finger on second string fret 4, ringing finger placed on fourth string fret 2, and your fourth string at fret 2. Strum these four strings while avoiding playing lower E and A strings.
To create an inverted D minor chord, simply move the third fret of the root string up one octave until you hear B on its note B string. Add an additional major sixth by sliding your pinky down one fret and creating a D minor six chord.