Minor chords are pretty simple, if you already know your major chords.
You just take the 3rd degree of your major chord and lower it a half step.
(Half steps are from key to key with no keys in between.)
So if the C major chord is C+E+G, first figure out what the third degree is (because that same chord can be written as “G+C+E” or “E+G+C” so it’s not always the middle note in the chord… it’s the THIRD tone of the scale) — then you just lower it a half step.
C major scale:
C D E F G A B C
“E” is the third tone of the scale, therefore it is the tone that we lower one half step (regardless of where it appears in the chord).
C+E+G now becomes C+Eb+G (root inversion)
E+G+C now becomes Eb+G+C (first inversion)
G+C+E now becomes G+C+Eb (second inversion)
Get it?
C major: C+E+G
C minor: C+Eb+G
F major: F+A+C
F minor: F+Ab+C
Bb major: Bb+D+F
Bb minor: Bb+Db+F
Eb major: Eb+G+Bb
Eb minor: Eb+Gb+Bb
Ab major: Ab+C+Eb
G# minor: G#+B+D#
(Here, it is easier to switch to G# minor, which is the enharmonic equivalent of Ab. You will see me switching to the sharp keys sometimes as they are more common when playing in minor keys unless you want to think of “Ab minor” as Ab+Cb+Eb. yup… I thought so, hehe)
Db major: Db+F+Ab
C# minor: C#+E+G#
Gb major: Gb+Bb+Db
F# minor: F#+A+C#
B major: B+D#+F#
B minor: B+D+F#
E major: E+G#+B
E minor: E+G+B
A major: A+C#+E
A minor: A+C+E
D major: D+F#+A
D minor: D+F+A
G major: G+B+D
G minor: G+Bb+D
There you have it! A quick course on minor chords
Hear and Play 702: Piano By Ear For Starters
The Hear and Play 702 Audio Series is a 2-hour, 2-disc set that specializes in taking you from the VERY beginning all the way to playing basic songs (popular ones at that). You'll study everything from the notes on the piano, scales, and basic chords to melody, harmonization, and even progressions!
If you're a newbie and want to be up and playing in less than a few days, you can't afford to miss this opportunity at this incredible price. Click here to learn more | Buy now
Popularity: 6% [?]
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed for regular updates. If you'd rather subscribe by e-mail, click here. Thanks for visiting.
Related posts:
- The secret to playing harmonic minor scales
- Major Chords vs. Minor Chords
- Minor 7th Chord With A Twist
- These melodic minor chords will have you sounding like a pro…
- Have you learned these harmonic minor seventh chords yet?
- Who else wants to know the secret behind primary and secondary chords?
- Warning: Play these harmonic minor chords at your own risk
July 13th, 2009 (comment#1)
Sir
Im so greatful for ur post . They are helping me a lot. I am still a beginner .