How To Play Minor Chords On Piano

Theory

A minor triad includes three notes and these can exist referred to as the root, minor tertiary and perfect fifth. It can also be referred to the first, the third and the fifth notes in the related scale.

We tin can compare the A Minor Scale with the A Pocket-sized chord:

A Minor scale: A – B – C – D – E – F – Grand
A major scale

A Minor chord: A – C – E
C major chord

The difference between the Minor and Major chord is the 2nd note. The pocket-sized third changes to a major third.

We can compare the C Minor with the C Major:

C Minor chord: C – Eb – M
C Major chord: C – East – G

Formula and steps

A skilful mode to minimize the memorizing is to learn the formulas. The formula for a triad modest chord is one - b3 - 5, which refers to the minor scale degrees.

You could too learn by steps. From the 1st note go three half steps to the right to the second note, and from the 2nd note go four steps to the correct to the 3rd note.

Make use of

How and when to use small triads? These are among the most common of all chords and used in various music genres and situations. Minor chords are commonly used together with major chords in different combinations.

Other minor chords

Equally mentioned earlier, there are more groups of minor chords. The most common among these are Small 7th.

Comparing the A Minor Calibration with the A Minor 7th chord:

A Minor scale: A – B – C – D – E – F – M
A Minor vii chord: A – C – E – G

With an alternative chord proper noun that is seldom used Cm7 could be written C-seven.

The Minor 6th chord is consequently built by adding a sixth note. This is actually the same note that is added to a Major 6th (this chord is sometimes referred to as Minor Major 6th) and that means that the Pocket-size 6 chord doesn't comprise with its relative scale:

Comparing the A Pocket-sized Scale with the A Modest 6th chord:

A Small-scale scale: A – B – C – D – East – F – G
A Minor 6 chord: A – C – E – F#

Considering of this odd characteristic, the Pocket-size 6th are oft treated as an add6 chord. Regardless of names, the important part is that it is a small triad with an added major third.

The next chord family is called Minor ninth (m9). This chord is congenital by adding a major tertiary to a minor 7th chord.

Comparing the A Pocket-size Scale with the A Minor ninth chord:

A Minor calibration: A – B – C – D – E – F – One thousand
A Minor 9 chord: A – C – E – G – B

With an culling chord proper name that is seldom used Cm9 could exist written C-9.

The side by side group is the Pocket-sized eleventh (m11). This chord is built by adding a third to a minor ninth chord.

Comparison the A Small-scale Scale with the A Small-scale 11th chord:

A Minor scale: A – B – C – D – Eastward – F – K
A Minor xi chord: A – C – E – Chiliad – B – D

The last grouping among the extended chords is the Small thirteenth (m13). This chord is congenital by adding a third to a small eleventh chord.

Comparison the A Minor Calibration with the A Minor 13th chord:

A Minor scale: A – B – C – D – E – F – G
A Minor 13 chord: A - C - E - G - B - D - F#

Every bit yous may notice, all notes in the scale are included in the chord, with F# every bit an exception. Information technology may seem odd that F# is a part of the chord since is not part of the scale, but the reason is that the added note is a major thirteenth.

A somewhat peculiar group is the Minor Major chord (mM or minmaj). This is a merging of Minor Seventh and Major 7th.

Comparing the C Minor 7th and the C Major 7th with the C Small-scale Major seventh chord:

C Minor 7 chord: C – Eb – G – Bb
C Major 7 chord: C – Due east – Grand – B
C Minor Major chord: C – Eb – Thousand – B

All chords that take been mentioned can be seen in diagrams on this site.

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