Generally speaking, a minor chord is any chord which has 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 third and perfect fifth above the root — if the root of the chord is C, the C minor chord will consist of the notes C (root), E♭ (minor third) and G (perfect fifth). This is also known as a minor triad. Below is an A minor chord (consisting of notes A, C, E) shown three ways (root and inversions); all are A minor:

The minor chord resembles the major chord except that it has a minor third with a major third on top, while a major chord has a major third with a minor third on top. They both contain fifths because a major third (4 semitones) plus a minor third (3 semitones) equals a fifth (7 semitones).

A minor chord in just intonation is tuned in the frequency ratio 15:12:10. In twelve-tone equal temperament (now the most common tuning system in the west), a minor chord has 4 semitones between the third and fifth, 3 between the root and third, and 7 between the root and fifth. It is represented by the integer notation 0,3,7. The fifth is only two cents narrower than the just perfect fifth, but the minor third 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 practice period. It is considered consonant or stable, only slightly less so than the major chord. A diminished chord is a minor chord with a lowered fifth.

Minor chord table

See also

• Major and minor
• musical tuning