Chords

Major and minor: two moods

One small change turns a happy chord into a thoughtful one.

2 min read

Major chords tend to sound bright and cheerful; minor chords sound softer, more thoughtful. The surprising part is how little changes between them.

C major vs C minor

C major is C, E, G. To make it minor, lower just the middle note by one key: E becomes E♭. That single step is the whole difference between the two moods.

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C major: C, E, G — bright and open.

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C minor: C, E♭, G — the middle note drops one key.

Tip: Play them back to back and listen. Naming the feeling — happy or thoughtful — trains your ear as much as your fingers.