What is the difference between major and minor chords?

The only difference is the third. Major chords use a major third (4 semitones from root), creating a bright, happy sound. Minor chords use a minor third (3 semitones from root), creating a darker, sadder sound. Both use the same perfect fifth.

Why do major chords sound happy and minor chords sound sad?

It's about harmonic ratios. Major thirds create simple, stable ratios with the root (5:4), which our ears find pleasing and resolved. Minor thirds create slightly more complex ratios (6:5), creating subtle tension that we perceive as sadness or longing.

How many semitones is a major third from the root?

A major third is 4 semitones (2 whole steps) from the root. For example, in C Major: C to E is 4 semitones (C→C#→D→D#→E).

How many semitones is a perfect fifth from the root?

A perfect fifth is 7 semitones from the root. This is the same for both major and minor chords. For example, C to G is 7 semitones.

What makes a diminished chord sound tense?

A diminished chord uses a minor third (3 semitones) AND a flat fifth (6 semitones instead of 7). This creates two tense intervals that both want to resolve, giving the chord its unstable, urgent character.

♪ Episode 3 of 7

Major, Minor & The Emotional Code

Understanding why chords feel the way they do

Why does C Major sound happy and C Minor sound sad? It all comes down to one note: the third. In this lesson, you'll learn the formula behind every triad — and why small changes in interval distances create big changes in emotional impact.

📚

From Episode 2

You learned that C Major = C-D-E-F-G-A-B in Episode 2. Now pick 3 notes from that scale to build chords...

Chord Laboratory

Build any chord and hear the difference

🎵

Select Root Note

Chord Quality:

Root C —

→

Third E 4 semitones

→

Fifth G 7 semitones Perfect 5th

Formula

Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th

C Major C — E — G

😊 Stable, happy, resolved

Compare Chord Qualities

Hear the difference. The third and fifth determine the emotion.

MAJOR

C Root

          E
          4 semitones
          Major 3rd
        

G Fifth Perfect 5th

Stable, happy, resolved

MINOR

C Root

          Eb
          3 semitones
          Minor 3rd
        

G Fifth Perfect 5th

Wistful, sad, longing

DIMINISHED

C Root

          Eb
          3 semitones
          Minor 3rd
        

          Gb
          6 semitones
          Flat 5th
        

Tense, unstable, urgent

Chord Builder Challenge

Build chords by ear and interval

Difficulty:

Root ?

3rd ?

5th ?

Click notes to build your chord: C Major

⚡ Key Concepts

● A triad is 3 notes: root, third, fifth
● Major 3rd = 4 semitones from root
● Minor 3rd = 3 semitones from root
● Perfect 5th = 7 semitones from root
● Flat 5th = 6 semitones from root
● Major chord: Major 3rd + Perfect 5th
● Minor chord: Minor 3rd + Perfect 5th
● Diminished: Minor 3rd + Flat 5th
● Major and minor share the same fifth

Up Next

Your First Progression

→

Major, Minor & The Emotional Code

Chord Laboratory

Compare Chord Qualities

Chord Builder Challenge

The 7 Chords in C Major