In my last blog article I mentioned the importance of piano chords and chord inversions. I also briefly discussed the formula of building a major chord. Another common chord or triad is the minor chord. You know you have heard a minor chord when the chord sounded mellow and even a bit sad.
A majority of the music from the Asian world is composed in the minor key, which gives a unique flavor, sometimes associated with Asia and nostalgic feelings.
You too can build a minor chord using a specific formula, 3+4 semitone.
For example: F minor chords

Some of the most impressive classical music was composed in the minor key such as the Pathetique sonata by Beethoven, composed in the key of C minor. Musicologists often wondered whether Mozarts piano sonata K. 457 inspired the Pathetique sonata since both compositions are in C minor and have three similar movements. The second movement of the Pathetique, adagio cantabile, has a similar theme to Mozarts sonata.
However, Beethovens sonata makes use of a distinctive motif line throughout, a major contrast from Mozarts music.
You can compose a simple melody using a minor chord progression such as A minor - D minor - A minor (I-IV-I chord progression).