Minor chord

Generally speaking, a minor chord is any chord whichhas a minor third above its root , as opposed to a major chord which has a major third . More specifically, it is the three-note chord made up of a minor thirdand perfect fifth above the root - if the root of the chord is C, thechord will consist of the notes C, E flat and G. This is also known as a minor triad .

The minor chord resembles the major chord except that it has a minor thirdwith a major third on top, while a major chord has a major third with a minor third on top. They both contain fifths because twopitches a major and minor third apart are a fifth apart.

A minor chord in just intonation is tuned in the frequency ratio15:12:10. In twelve-tone equal temperament (now the most commontuning system in th west), a major chord has 4 semitones between the third andfifth, 3 between the root and third, and 7 between the root and fifth. It is represented by the integer notation 0,3,7. The fifthis only two cents narrower than the just perfect fifth, but the minorthird is noticeably different at 15.641 cents smaller.

The minor chord, along with the major chord, is one of the basic building blocks of tonal music and the common practiceperiod . It is considered consonant or stable, only slightly less so than themajor chord. A diminished chord is a minor chord with a loweredfifth.

See also:

• musical tuning