Pieces › Chords

Minor chords

A minor, D minor, E minor: the melancholy color

A minor chord has the same shape (1-3-5, every other key) but sounds darker. A minor = A-C-E, D minor = D-F-A, E minor = E-G-B.

Major or minor? Listen to the difference: it’s the distance to the middle note that changes the color.

Tips

• A minor starts on the A just below middle C.

Major or minor?

Alternate C major (happy) and A minor (melancholy). C and E are in both chords: your hand keeps its 1-3-5 shape and moves down two white keys.

Three minor chords

A minor – D minor – E minor – A minor, in half notes.