Minor triads

In C minor, the triad on C is built the same way:

• C (the root)
• E♭ (the third note above C; often called just "the third")
• G (the fifth note above C; often called just "the fifth")

This is called the C minor triad.

Make the C minor triad below:

As with minor scales, most people hear minor triads as "sad" or "dark."

Now that you've looked at how some common chords are constructed, let's look at some of the different ways they're used in particular songs.