Minor chords have a haunting quality that is unique as witnessed by the fact that countless composers from Beethoven to Billy Joel have written many pieces in minor keys. Watch this short video on minor chords, then click on the link under the video to go to the web page that illustrates minor chords.

Click here: Minor Chords

How important are major chords? Since probably 80% to 85% of all the chords used in music are some form of major chords, I’d say they are pretty important. And since there are only 12 of them (not counting enharmonic chords like Gb and F#) it’s not too much to go to the trouble of learning them.

Three of the major chords are composed of just white keys on the piano; three major chords have a black key as the 3rd of the chord; three major chords are like Oreo cookies; one major chord is composed of all black keys; and two are left over — B and Bb. Watch this short video and you will understand:

For more information on major chords please go to: Major Chords

As you no doubt know, there are 12 possible major chords because there are 12 different piano keys on which you can build those chords. (There can be more than 12 names for those 12 chords, of course, because we can call the same chord two names, such as Db or C# — we’ll do a video on enharmonic chords another time). Once you know those 12 major chords, it’s a snap to learn the minor chords, because all you do is lower the 3rd of the major chord one-half step. For lots of good stuff like this, come on over to http://www.facebook.com/pianochords and sign up for our free newsletter on piano chords and chord progressions as well as grab the Major-Minor Chord Chart.

Minor chord substitutions are some of the most interesting and pleasant-sounding things you can do to make your songs stand out from the crowd. Listen to this short minor-chords podcast and learn how to do it yourself. (For complete instructions on chord substitutions, please go to Chord Subs.)

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Once you know how to form major chords, you can easily form any minor chord by simply lowering the 3rd of the major triad. Watch this video and see all 12 major chords become minor by moving just one note down 1/2 step:

Some people think of minor chords as “sad”, but they do convey at least a feeling of seriousness or sombeness when contrasted with major chords. Watch this short video on minor chords and their character: