The Complete Idiot''s Guide to Music Theory

Par t 3:Tunes

Minor Chords

The main difference between a major chord and a minor chord is the third.

Although a major chord utilizes a major third, a minor chord flattens that inter-

val to create a minor third. The fifth is the same.

In other words, a minor chord consists of a root, a minor third, and a perfect

fifth. This is sometimes notated 1-
3-5. For example, the C minor chord

includes the notes C, E
, and G.

Here’s a quick look at how to build minor chords on every note of the scale:

114

Minor triads.

In this and other chord

charts in this book, the

accidentals apply only to

the specific chord; they

don’t carry across to suc-

cessive chords.

Note

When you play a

chord based on

the tonic note of a

major scale or key,

that chord is always a

major chord. For example,

in the key of C, the tonic

chord is C Major.

Tip

There are many different ways to indicate a minor chord, as shown in the fol-

lowing table:

Notation for Minor Chords

Minor Chord Notation Example

minor C minor

min C min

mi C mi

mCm

Diminished Chords

A diminished chord is like a minor chord with a lowered fifth. It has a kind of

eerie and ominous sound. You build a diminished chord with a root note, a minor

third, and a diminished (lowered) fifth. This is sometimes noted 1-
3-
5.

For example, the C diminished chord includes the notes C, E
, and G
.

Here’s a quick look at how to build diminished chords on every note of the

scale:

Note the double flat on

the fifth of the E
dimin-

ished chord.

Note

Diminished triads.