Part 5: Understand the chords you already hold · Lesson 041 / 117
Repeat the major/minor idea from A
Transfer the construction instead of treating each chord as unrelated.
Build a major triad from A. Its major third is C# and its perfect fifth is E, giving A–C#–E. Lower C# to C to get A minor: A–C–E.
The familiar open A and Am shapes display this change. A can be played x02220, while Am is x02210. The B-string note changes from fret 2, C#, to fret 1, C. The other chord ingredients stay A and E, with some repeated across strings.
This is the same operation as C major to C minor even though the hand shapes look different. The interval recipe makes them part of one system.
Take time to name the changed note before playing. A confident explanation in one pair is better than rapidly switching through many chords without understanding any of them.
Hear it
A Major Minor
Audio fileFour-beat count-in · 60 BPM · Warm sampled electric guitar. Listen once before playing along.
A concrete example
A major: x02220 = A–E–A–C#–E. A minor: x02210 = A–E–A–C–E. The third changes from C# to C.
Try it, slowly
- Find the B-string note in open A.
- Move it down one fret and listen to Am.
- Describe both chords without using the words “the easier shape” or “the usual shape.”
Check one idea
Why does A minor have no flat sign in its note names even though its formula contains b3?
Show the explanation
C is the minor third above A. The b3 formula means one semitone below A major's third, C#. The resulting pitch name is C, not necessarily a flat-spelled note.
A good place to stop
You can apply the same major/minor operation to C and A and explain the formula.
Return to the example after a short break. A clear explanation matters more than speed.