What is a Chord?

• We have learned what a scale is (a series of notes following in half steps and whole steps).

• A chord is different in that, instead of playing one note at a time, you play the notes together.

• A chord is usually made up of three notes: The first in a scale, the third, and the fifth. We call the first the root, the middle note the third, and the last the fifth because these are the scale degrees for each.

What is a Minor Chord?

• A minor chord is just like a major except the middle note, the third of the scale, is flattened.

• We can see here that the third note of the scale has been flattened.

• You can see that third note of the scale is very important because it decides whether a scale and chord is major or minor.

Extra Practice:

If you are having trouble hearing the difference between major and minor chords, go here and change the "Options" so that only major and minor chords are selected. Run the quiz over and over until your ears are able to hear the difference between major and minor.