8/4/2019 PL 6 Minor Chords

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Piano Lession #6: Minor Chords

Minor chords are the next type of chord you should be familiar with. These are very common, and used inalmost any song. Minor chords are denoted on chord sheets by the lower-case letter “m” after the capitalchord name. “Em,” for instance, indicates that you should play an E-minor chord.

 Minor chords are created by lowering the third by one half-step. That means that the distance between

 the root and the third of a minor chord is one and a half steps, instead of two whole steps as in a major chordThe distance between the third and fifth of a minor chord is two whole steps, instead of one and a half steps

as in a major chord.

 You will quickly recognize the difference when you play a minor chord. Where major chords sound full andcomplete, minor chords sound dissonant - they sound a little off, or wrong, and create tension. Practice playing major chords, followed by the same minor chord, to start training your ear to recognize thedifference.

Minor Chord Root Third FifthCm

C  #m

Dbm

Dm

D #m

E bm

Em

Fm

F #mGbm

Gm

G #m

Abm

Am

 A #m

Bbm

Bm

C 

C  #Db

D

D #E b

E 

F

F #Gb

G

G # Ab

 A

 A #Bb

B

D #E 

E 

F

F #Gb

G

 Ab

 A A

Bb

B

B

C 

C  #Db

D

G

G # Ab

 A

 A #Bb

B

C 

C  #Db

D

D #E b

E 

F

F

F #

   F                #

    M   i  n  o  r   [   F

                #  m   ]

   C   M   i  n  o  r   [   C  m   ]