Chords
Minor chord
A minor chord is a triad made of a root, a minor third (3 semitones up) and a perfect fifth (7 semitones up), such as A C E for A minor.
What is a minor chord?
A minor chord is a triad with the formula 1 ♭3 5: the root, a minor third (3 semitones) and a perfect fifth (7 semitones). Between the third and the fifth there is a major third (4 semitones), the reverse stacking of a major chord.
Spellings: Am = A C E, Em = E G B, Dm = D F A, Bm = B D F♯, F♯m = F♯ A C♯, Cm = C E♭ G. The symbol adds a lowercase "m" to the letter (jazz charts also use "min" or "-": C- = Cm).
How do you play minor chords on guitar?
Three open shapes, written from low E to high E:
| Chord | Shape | Notes sounding |
|---|---|---|
| Am | x02210 | A E A C E |
| Em | 022000 | E B E G B E |
| Dm | xx0231 | D A D F |
For everything else, two barre shapes. Em shape, root on the 6th string: Fm = 133111, F♯m = 244222, Am = 577555. Am shape, root on the 5th string: Bm = x24432, Cm = x35543. Bm is usually the first minor barre chord you meet, because it shows up in the keys of G and D.
Where do minor chords appear in a key?
In a major key, degrees ii, iii and vi are minor. In C: Dm, Em, Am. In G: Am, Bm, Em.
In a minor key built on the natural minor scale, degrees i, iv and v are minor: in A minor, Am, Dm and Em. A minor is the relative minor of C major: same notes, same chords, but the music gravitates to Am instead of C.
Exercise: the same chords heard in minor
Play Am, F, C, G (vi-IV-I-V in C, or i-VI-III-VII in A minor) with x02210, xx3211, x32010, 320003. Four beats per chord, hitting the bass note of each chord on beat one.
Next play Am, Dm, Em, Am (i-iv-v-i): the colour is darker and more modal, with no strong pull back home. Now swap Em for E 022100: the G♯ is a leading tone that pulls straight to A. If a shape surprises you, the chord identifier confirms its name from the notes.
Common mistakes with minor chords
- Mixing up "m" and "M": Cm is minor, CM (or Cmaj) is major. Check the case carefully.
- Half-barring Bm: in
x24432, your index must sound the 1st string (F♯), or the chord loses its top fifth. - Assuming a minor song uses only minor chords: in A minor, C, F and G are major chords.
Key takeaways
- Formula: 1 ♭3 5, a minor third with a major third on top.
- Core shapes: Am
x02210, Em022000, Dmxx0231, Bmx24432. - In major keys: ii, iii, vi. In minor keys: i, iv, v.
- Major and minor differ only by the third, one semitone apart.
Frequently asked questions
Why do minor chords sound sad?
The third is a semitone lower than in a major chord and doesn't line up with the strongest natural overtones of the root. Ears used to major hear that as darker. Context matters a lot, though: a fast, driving Am can sound energetic rather than sad.
What is the difference between Am and A?
One note: A = A C♯ E, Am = A C E. On guitar, go from x02220 to x02210: only the finger on the 2nd string moves back one fret.
How is Am7 different from Am?
Am7 adds a minor seventh (G) to the triad: A C E G. Lift your finger off the 3rd string of the Am shape to get x02010. It sounds softer and more open than plain Am.
Related terms
Practise in the workshop
Take it from theory to the fretboard
Open the workshop tools and see this idea across the whole neck. Free account, no card needed.