Minor Chords

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

What Are Minor Chords?

Minor chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, but the middle note is lowered 1/2 step.

You can learn how to build a major scale here.

Since we can build major chords with the first, third and fifth notes of the matching major scale, we can think of minor chords as major chords, but with the middle note lowered 1/2 step.

Chord Types Printable

Learn to play 17 types of piano chords using 12 different root notes with this 35-page PDF! Chords are sorted both by their root note and type.

Get the Printable

How to Play a B Minor Chord on the Piano

To play a B minor chord, we’ll first build a B major chord using the first, third and fifth notes of the B major scale: B – D♯ – F♯.

Then to convert the B major chord into a B minor chord, we’ll lower the middle note 1/2 step: B – D – F♯

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.

Other Chord Types

Some other chord types you can learn are:

Major
Augmented
Diminished
Second
Minor Second
Suspended
Fifth
Sixth
Minor Sixth
Seventh
Minor Seventh
Major Seventh
Ninth
Minor Ninth
Major Ninth

Conclusion

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

Minor chords are lots of fun to use at the piano, and work well for introspective and reflective moods.