What Are Major And Minor Chords?

(You may need to start with the musical alphabet, finger numbers, sharps and flats, or intervals)

Watch a video to learn Major and Minor chords

For the purpose of this article, we will only be learning two different chord types – major and minor. The root is the note from which we begin building the chord and thereby gives us its name. For example, a C major chord is built by starting on its root, C, and building a major chord.

Major Chords

A major chord is built as follows: root, major third from root, perfect fifth from root.

Chord	Notes
C Major	C, E, G
F Major	F, A, C
G Major	G, B, D
Bb Major	Bb, D, F

Major chords are easily played with the right hand with fingers 1, 3, and 5. For example:

C E G
RH 1 3 5

Minor Chords

A minor chord is built as follows: root, minor third from root, perfect fifth from root.

Chord	Notes
C Minor	C, Eb, G
F Minor	F, Ab, C
D Minor	D, F, A
A Minor	A, C, E

Minor chords are played with the same fingers as major chords. You can hear the difference between major and minor chords by first playing the C major chord, then the C minor chord. Some people describe the major chord as having a happy sound, while the minor chord has a sad or scary sound.

Exercises:

1. Pick a note and play both the major and minor chord based on that note as the root. Suppose you pick a C, play a C major and then a C minor. Try picking notes not in the chord tables above.

2. You can also use either of the random note charts to practice your major and minor chords. Pick a row or column and play the major or minor chord for each note. Remember to be creative when using these charts.

Good work! You may be ready for the Major Scale or Major Scale Harmony .

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