Minor Triads

What is a minor triad?

A minor triad is a three-note chord that sounds sad or dark. It is built from a root note, a minor 3rd above the root, and a perfect 5th above the root. In a major triad, the middle note is four half steps above the root; in a minor triad, that middle note is lowered by one half step to be only three half steps above the root.

Why does it sound sad?

The lowered middle note creates a smaller, tighter interval between the bottom and middle notes, which changes the chord's mood from bright (major) to somber (minor). This small change—just one half step—makes a huge difference in how the chord feels. You'll hear this sad quality in countless ballads, pop songs, and film scores.

How to build one

Start with a major triad: pick a root, count four half steps up for the middle note, then seven half steps up for the top note. To make it minor, simply lower the middle note by one half step while keeping the root and top note the same. For example, C major (C, E, G) becomes C minor (C, E♭, G) by moving E down to E♭.