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Change one note.

Hear the Difference Between Major and Minor Chords

Two chords. One note moves. Listen to the comparison, then find the voice that changed.

Listening challenge

Which voice changed?

Listen to both chords, then choose the voice that changed.

Pair 1 of 4 · A

Hear both chords

One tap plays Chord 1, then Chord 2.

Which part changed?

Listen to the comparison first.

Explain the comparison

In a root-position major or minor triad, the root and fifth can stay the same while the third changes. Listen first, then use this explanation only if you want help.

Opening this section marks the round as completed with help.

Keep listening

Try the same change in another key

Explore another curated pair. Chord names and the changed note appear after you answer.

What you just heard

Why one note matters

Read the interval explanation

In a root-position major or minor triad, the root and fifth can stay the same while the third changes. A minor is A–C–E. Raise C by one semitone to C♯ and you get A major: A–C♯–E.

That semitone changes the interval above A from a minor third to a major third. The lesson is about interval structure—not a fixed “sad versus happy” emotion rule.

Browse piano chords →Use Chord Finder →Find notes on the keyboard →

At the piano

How to use this at the piano

Steps after you answer
  • Listen to the complete comparison before guessing.
  • After the answer is revealed, play the two root-position shapes yourself.
  • Watch the third move by one adjacent piano key while the root and fifth stay fixed.
  • Open the chord references when you want notes, inversions, fingering examples, or printable material.

This is a focused listening comparison. It does not measure general ear-training ability or live piano performance.

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