What is a minor Chord on the Piano?

The minor chord is the counterpart of the Major chord. They’re also referred to as minor harmony in music.  They’re built upon tones of minor scales and keys of music.

A minor chord on the piano is a series of three notes.  It consists of the first, third and fifth tones of a minor key of music.  The minor chord is also referred to as a minor triad.  Minor chords have a sad or dark quality to them.   They complement Major chords in all styles of music.

How to Create minor Chords

If you’re familiar with Major chords, minor chords are literally a half step away.  It’s very simple to create a minor chord.  Major chords are constructed of a 1st, 3rd and 5th tone.  The minor chord is constructed of a 1st, minor 3rd, and 5th tone. 

C Major

C minor

Minor Chord Intervals

An interval is the distance between notes. Intervals are the component that chords are built upon.  Specifically, minor chords are constructed of a minor 3rd and Major 3rd interval in that order.

The Fastest Way to Learn the 12 Minor Chords

I definitely suggest that you learn all 12 Major chords before moving on to minor chords.  The simplest way to learn all 12 minor chords is to base them on the Major chords.  

Simply take a Major chord and lower the 3rd down one key (aka a half step).  

C Major to C minor

This article illustrates all 12 Major chords in visual order.  Refer to it to learn all 12 Major chords in visual order to make it easier to transition to them.  It’s quite easy to segue from Major to minor chords in this order.  (the 3 denotes the minor 3rd of the chord)

Minor Chord Inversions 

The notes of the minor chord can be played in root position.  But they can also be played in different positions known as inversions.  

In Root position, the root of the minor chord is the bottom.

C Minor root position

In first inversion, the root is on the top.

C Minor 1st inversion

In second inversion, the root is in the middle.

C Major 2nd inversion

Minor chord intervals also change when the chords are inverted. 

In root position, the chord has a minor third between the root and minor 3rd and a Major 3rd between the minor 3rd and 5th. 

C minor root position

In first inversion, the chord has a Major third between the minor 3rd and 5th tones and a perfect fourth between the 5th and the root.  (A perfect four interval is two keys separated by four keys)

C minor 1st inversion

In Second inversion, the chord has a perfect fourth interval between the 5th and the root and a Major 3rd interval between the root and the 3rd.  

C minor 2nd inversion

Minor Triads with Inversions

Minor Chord	Root Position	1st Inversion	2nd Inversion
C minor	C-Eb-G	Eb-G-C	G-C-Eb
F minor	F-Ab-C	Ab-C-F	C-F-Ab
G minor	G-Bb-D	Bb-D-G	D-G-Bb
D minor	D-F-A	F-A-D	A-D-F
E minor	E-G-B	G-B-E	B-E-G
A minor	A-C-E	C-E-A	E-A-C
D flat minor	Db-Fb-Ab	Fb-Ab-Db	Ab-Db-Fb
E flat minor	Eb-Gb-Bb	Gb-Bb-Eb	Bb-Eb-Gb
A flat minor	Ab-Cb-Eb	Cb-Eb-Ab	Eb-Ab-Cb
*G flat minor	Gb-Bbb-Db	Bbb-Db-Gb	Db-Gb-Bbb
B flat minor	Bb-Db-F	Db-F-Bb	F-Bb-Db
B minor	B-D-F#	D-F#-B	F#-B-D

Diatonic minor Chords

Minor chords are found in Major and minor keys of music.  These chords are based on the diatonic tones of the key.  Diatonic simply means within the key. 

In a Major key of music, there are three primary chords which are all Major.  These are the most used chords in a particular key.  There are also three secondary chords of the Major key which are all minor.

The primary chords of C Major

I C Major

IV F Major

V G Major

The secondary chords of C major

ii D minor

Iii E minor

Vi A minor

Vii B diminished

Even though the vii chord is not minor, it is a diminished chord and a minor chord can be substituted for it.  This would be B minor in the key of C Major.

Vii B minor

In a minor key of music, the three primary chords are all minor.  

The primary chords of C Minor

I C Minor

IV F Minor

V G Minor

The contrast of Major and minor chords in a piece of music creates a more satisfying harmony than simply Major chords alone.  

How to develop proficiency in learning and playing Major Chords

• Learn all 12 Major chords in visual order
• Convert all Major chords into minor chords in visual order
• Take each minor chord and play it in Root position, 1st inversion and 2nd inversion
• Apply minor chords to your favorite music as well as your own songs

Final Thoughts

Minor chords are an integral part of harmony in any style of music.  It’s a very easy transition from Major to minor chords.  The key difference is the Major and minor 3rd.  When you take the time to develop familiarity with all 12 minor chords, it expands your chord vocabulary to extended and even altered minor chords.  

Until Next time, Go Play!