Minor Triads

A minor triad contains three notes: the Root (1), Minor 3ʳᵈ (♭3), and Perfect 5ᵗʰ (5).

Example: C Minor = C–E♭–G

A minor triad can be played in three positions depending on which chord tone is in the bass.

• Root Position: 1–♭3–5 (C–E♭–G)
• 1ˢᵗ Inversion: ♭3–5–1 (E♭–G–C)
• 2ⁿᵈ Inversion: 5–1–♭3 (G–C–E♭)

Finding Minor Triads with the NANDI Method

Use the interval pattern of fourths to locate the 1, ♭3, and 5. Starting from any chord tone, derive the remaining notes using fourth relationships instead of memorizing shapes.

Root Position (1–♭3–5)

Start on the Root (1).
• One fourth up = 4, two frets lower = ♭3
• One fourth up from ♭3 = ♭6, one fret lower = 5

Pattern: 1 → 4 ↓2 = ♭3 → ♭6 ↓1 = 5

1ˢᵗ Inversion (♭3–5–1)

Start on the ♭3.
• One fourth up = ♭6, one fret lower = 5
• One fourth up from 5 = 1

Pattern: ♭3 → ♭6 ↓1 = 5 → 1

2ⁿᵈ Inversion (5–1–♭3)

Start on the 5.
• One fourth up = 1
• One fourth up from 1 = 4, two frets lower = ♭3

Pattern: 5 → 1 → 4 ↓2 = ♭3

Remember: When crossing the G–B strings, move the fourth one fret higher.

Watch the companion video below to learn how to identify the chord tones of minor triads using the Circle of Fourths.

Minor Triads in CAGED

The same NANDI formulas apply throughout the CAGED system.

Root Position: 1 → 4 ↓2 = ♭3 → ♭6 ↓1 = 5

1ˢᵗ Inversion: ♭3 → ♭6 ↓1 = 5 → 1

2ⁿᵈ Inversion: 5 → 1 → 4 ↓2 = ♭3

C Shape

Contains 2 inversions.

• Root Position: 1–♭3–5
• 1ˢᵗ Inversion: ♭3–5–1

A Shape

Root Position is built from the upper root.

Contains:
• Root Position
• 2ⁿᵈ Inversion

G Shape

Contains:
• Root Position
• 1ˢᵗ Inversion

The 2ⁿᵈ inversion extends beyond the five-fret span and is omitted.

E Shape

Contains all three inversions.

• Root Position
• 1ˢᵗ Inversion
• 2ⁿᵈ Inversion

D Shape

The Root Position extends beyond the five-fret span.

Contains:
• 2ⁿᵈ Inversion

Remember, the 5 is always found one string lower on the same fret as the root. The only exception is when moving from the B string to the G string, where the 5 is one fret lower.

Major and minor triads are located using the same fourth-based logic. The only difference is the position of the 3ʳᵈ.

Major Triad
• 1 → 4 ↓1 = 3 → 6 ↓2 = 5

Minor Triad
• 1 → 4 ↓2 = ♭3 → ♭6 ↓1 = 5

Once these two patterns are understood, every major and minor triad can be located throughout the CAGED system without memorizing chord shapes.