Member Library • Chord Training

All Minor Chords By Color

Just like major chords, minor triads become much easier when you organize them by what the notes look like on the keyboard. Instead of memorizing twelve unrelated chords, learn the visual patterns created by the white and black keys — then use the jam lessons to turn those shapes into something your hands remember.

8 Video Lessons Minor Triads Visual Chord Groups Includes Jam Practice
Lesson Playlist Learn the shape, then jam with it.
White • Black • White
White • White • White
Black • White • Black
The Other Shapes
Lesson 1 • Learn the Shape

White • Black • White

Practice tip: Let the keyboard become a picture. You want to eventually see the shape of a minor chord before you consciously think through every note.

Minor Triad Groups

Keep this nearby while working through the lessons. Play each group several times and pay attention to the visual shape underneath your hand.

White • White • White

Dm = D F A
Em = E G B
Am = A C E

White • Black • White

Cm = C E♭ G
Fm = F A♭ C
Gm = G B♭ D

Black • White • Black

C♯m = C♯ E G♯
F♯m = F♯ A C♯
G♯m = G♯ B D♯

Black • Black • Black

E♭m = E♭ G♭ B♭

Black • Black • White

B♭m = B♭ D♭ F

White • White • Black

Bm = B D F♯

One theory oddity: G♯ minor and A♭ minor can sound the same on the piano, but the note names are spelled differently. For example, A♭ minor uses C♭ — which is the same piano key as B. That's music theory doing music theory things. 😄