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What Are Minor Chords? Everything You Need to Know

wavmonopoly June 2, 2022

Minor chords are an important part of music, and they can be used in a variety of ways to create different sounds and moods. In music, minor chords are often seen as sad or melancholic. This is because they contain a flattened 3rd degree, which gives them a darker sound than major chords.

However, minor chords can be used to create a wide variety of emotions in your music. In this article, we will discuss what minor chords are, how they are written, and how to use them in your songs! These play a major role when it comes to song structure.

What Are Minor Chords

Minor Chords

A minor chord is a chord that contains a flattened third degree. In music, we use the term “degree” to refer to the scale degrees of a chord. The first, third, and fifth scale degrees are the most important ones when it comes to building chords.

The first degree is also known as the root note. It gives the chord its name. For example, in a C minor chord, the first degree would be C.

The third degree is what gives the chord its quality. In a major chord, the third degree is raised (sharpened) by one-half step. This gives the chord a bright sound.

In a minor chord, the third degree is lowered (flattened) by one-half step. This gives the chord a dark sound.

The fifth degree completes the chord and rounds out its sound. In a minor chord, the fifth degree is also lowered by one-half step.

This makes minor chords sound darker than major chords because they have a flattened third and fifth-degree.

The fundamental formula for a minor triad may be used to generate minor 7th chords and extended minor triads. Minor 9 and minor 11 chords are two of the most popular jazz chord progressions, which may be found in a wide range of styles.

Minor chords are a mainstay of virtually any song since many of the diatonic chords in the fundamental musical scales are minor.

How Are Minor Chords Written?

Minor chords are written with the root note, flat third, and flat fifth scale degrees. In music notation, we use a lowercase “m” to denote that a chord is minor.

For example, the C minor chord would be written as “Cm.”

You can also use a symbol to denote that a chord is minor. This symbol is called a “minor third.” It looks like a small “m” with two dots above it (Ëš).

So, the C minor chord would be written as “CËš.”

Let’s use the A chord as an example. The eighth note of the scale is a Minor chord, which you may hear as A Minor, Amin, or Am. The terms are used interchangeably in most cases. The Major chord grip is the most basic version of this, and it’s generally used to indicate the A chord.

How To Figure Out Chords By Ear

You can figure out chords by ear by listening to songs and trying to identify the chords that are being used.

There are a few things to listen for when you’re trying to identify chords. The first is the overall sound of the chord. Major chords tend to sound bright and happy, while minor chords sound sad or melancholic.

You’ll be able to recognize them more quickly if you give chords a personality. I suggest that you give them a listen at least twice and try to incorporate their sentiments. They have distinct tones, especially if you play a Major chord followed by a Minor chord.

It’s difficult to discern the difference between a Major and Minor chord at first, especially if you’re just getting started with guitar. You can train your ear to recognize the difference by listening to a lot of music and trying to identify the chords being used.

As you listen, pay attention to the overall sound of the song as well as the individual notes that make up the chord. If you can identify the root note, that will help you figure out what type of chord it is.

For example, if you hear a song with a lot of major chord progressions, the song is likely in a major key.

If you’re still having trouble figuring out chords by ear, there are some great apps and websites that can help you. One of my favorites is Chordify. It’s a free app that uses your phone’s microphone to listen to a song and identify the chords being used.

How To Use Minor Chords In Your Music

One of the great things about minor chords is that they can add a lot of emotion to your music. As we mentioned before, minor chords tend to sound sad or melancholic.

This makes them perfect for slow, emotional songs. But minor chords can also be used in fast-paced, energetic songs to add a sense of urgency or excitement.

The best way to figure out how to use minor chords in your music is to experiment and find what works best for you. There are no hard and fast rules about it. Just remember that minor chords can add a lot of feeling to your music, so use them sparingly.

How To Build An A Minor Chord

Now that you know a little bit about minor chords, let’s learn how to build an A minor chord.

First, we’ll start with the root note. The root note is the note that the chord is named after. In this case, it’s A.

The next note we’ll need is the flat third. The flat third is the third note of the minor scale, but it’s been lowered by one semitone.

So, in the case of A minor, the flat third would be C.

The last note we need is the flat fifth. The flat fifth is the fifth note of the scale, but it’s been lowered by one semitone.

So, in the case of A minor, the flat fifth would be E.

Now that we have all three notes, we can put them together to form an A minor chord.

And that’s all there is to it! With a little practice, you’ll be able to build any minor chord quickly and easily.

Start by experimenting with the chords you know and see how they sound in different progressions. Then, once you’re comfortable with them, start incorporating minor chords into your music.

Bottom Line

Minor chords are a great tool for adding emotion to your music. With a little practice, you can easily write, play, and use them in your own songs. The next time you’re feeling creative, try using minor chords to add a new dimension to your music.

Do you have any questions about minor chords? Leave a comment below and let us know. And be sure to check out our other blog posts for more musical tips and tricks. Happy composing!

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