IndieSongwriter.net

What’s the difference between a major chord and a minor chord?

The distance between the first and third notes.

Remember that a chord is made up of the first, third and fifth notes of the scale? Eg. C is CEG, the first third and fifth notes of the C scale.

Well the distance, or interval, between C and E is a major third. What does that mean? It means that if you start on C then go four semitones up you find an E. Combine that with the G and you get C major.

What about C minor?

Easy. Make the gap between C and E smaller by changing the E to E flat. E flat is three semitones above C, rather than four. Everything else stays the same.

But why is it E flat, not D sharp?

Because Chords are made up of the first third and fifth notes. The first third and fifth notes of C minor are C, E flat, G. A D, whether it is sharp, natural or flat, would be the second note of a C scale.