The minor triad is one of the basic tertian chords: 1-♭3-5. Compared with a major triad, the lowered third darkens the color while the perfect fifth keeps a familiar open stability. It is the harmonic center of the natural minor mode on tonic, appears diatonically on multiple scale degrees in major and minor keys, and underpins countless melodies and progressions across classical, folk, jazz, and popular music.
Construction
Formula: 1-♭3-5. In Cm, spell C-E♭-G. Inversions follow standard triad inversion rules; first inversion is often called a sixth chord in classical figured-bass thinking.
Usage
Use as tonic minor, pre-dominant harmony (especially as ii in major), modal color on other roots, and as the simplest minor sonority in voicing studies.
Examples
- Minor-key anthems and folk songs on tonic
- Major-key ii–V progressions where ii is minor
- Rock and pop verses built on minor triads for introspective mood
Play
Balance the third in the voicing so the minor quality is clear, experiment with doublings that support the bass line, and connect voices smoothly when moving to dominant harmony.
Ear-training cues
Hear a minor third above the root paired with a perfect fifth; darker than major, more settled than diminished or half-diminished chords.
