Minor Chords

By now you should have learned how to form some minor chords like E minor (Em), D minor (Dm) and A minor (Am). Now I want to talk about other aspects of minor chords. Minor chords are used in places in songs where the lyrics are about "dark or sad" subjects. Major chords sound more "happy or celebrational" while minor chords sound more "serious or thought provoking".

There is a definite relationship between major and minor chords that guitar players need to understand. Every major chord has what is known as a "relative minor" chord. The relative minor chord of a major chord has the same key signature. In other words, it has the same number of sharps or flats. For instance, the relative minor chord of C major is A minor. Both C major and A minor have no sharps and no flats. The notes of a C major chord are C-E-G while the notes of an A minor chord are A-C-E. The only difference is one note. The G in C major is replaced by the A in A minor. Take your guitar and play C major and then A minor several times until you understand the relationship between the two chords. Listen to the way they sound together. You've heard this sound relationship many times in songs you've listened to throughout your life.

Now try the same thing starting with a G chord. The relative minor of G is E minor. A G chord is formed by G-B-D. An E minor chord is formed by E-G-B. What is the difference between the two chords? That's right, the E replacing the D is the difference. Play the G and E minor chords together like you did earlier until they feel comfortable to you. As with the C major and A minor chords, you've certainly heard this chord progression many times before.