Julie Swihart

Minor Chords

Let’s look at how to play a B flat minor chord on the piano. We’ll also learn the pattern for building any other minor chord.

What Are Minor Chords?

Minor chords are similar to major chords, except the middle note is lowered 1/2 step.

So one way to build a minor chord is to find the matching major chord, then lower the middle note 1/2 step.

Since we can build major chords with the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, another way to build a minor chord is by finding the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, and then lowering the middle note 1/2 step.

You can learn how to build a major scale here.

How to Play a B Flat Minor Chord on the Piano

Now let’s build a B flat minor chord. We’ll start by building a B flat major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the B flat major scale: B♭ – D – F

Then we’ll lower the middle note, D, 1/2 step: B♭ – D♭ – F

So to play a B flat minor chord, we’ll play:

B♭ – D♭ – F

We can use this pattern to build any other minor chord! We can first build a major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale. Then we can lower the middle note 1/2 step.

Chord Types Printable

Learn to play 17 types of piano chords using 12 different root notes with this 34-page PDF! Chords are sorted both by their root note (C, D, E, etc.) and type (major, minor, augmented, diminished, etc.).

Get the Printable

Conclusion

Now you know how to build a B flat minor chord on the piano, and you can use this pattern to build any other minor chord!

Minor chords are really nice to use at the piano, because they work well for expressing more somber and reflective moods.