Major vs Minor Chords: What’s the Difference?

When you play guitar, you encounter both major and minor chords, and you notice they have very different feelings. One feels bright and happy, the other darker and sadder. But what makes a chord major or minor?

Let’s look at five chord pairs to see the difference.

C Major vs C minor

C Major is made of three notes, a root, third, and fifth: C, E, and G. 
C minor changes just one note. E becomes E♭, but that one shift gives the chord a more somber tone.

Changing one note (the third) alters the mood.

A Major vs A minor

A Major is made of the notes A, C♯, and E and has a bright and open sound. 
A minor swaps C♯ for C natural. The result? A chord that sounds more introspective and moody.

G Major vs G minor

G Major (G, B, D) is confident and strong.
G minor (G, B♭, D) feels more dramatic. 

Try playing both chords back to back — the contrast is striking.

E Major vs E minor

E Major (E, G♯, B) is bold and bright.
E minor (E, G, B) adds a darker color. It's a go-to chord for creating tension or melancholy.

D Major vs D minor

D Major (D, F♯, A) is light and ringing.
D minor (D, F, A) sounds more mysterious, even sad. 

So what’s the real difference between major and minor chords? It all comes down to one note, the third.

• In a major chord, the third is four half steps (four frets) above the root, giving it a bright, happy sound.

• In a minor chord, the third is only three half steps (three frets) up from the root, creating a darker and sadder quality.

This one-note change is small but significant. Listen to how that difference affects the feeling of each chord. The different chord qualities are tools you have for expressing emotion through music.