Major vs Minor Chords
Major sounds bright, minor sounds dark, and only the middle note differs — see and hear why, then train your ear with an 8-round major-vs-minor drill.
Take the same three-story tower and nudge just the middle floor by a half step — the mood flips from sunshine to overcast. Toggle between maj and min below: listen to the whole chord, but watch the middle note.
It all comes down to the middle floor
A major triad and a minor triad share the same root and the same top note; only the middle note moves, and only by a half step. When the bottom third is a major third (4 half steps), the chord is major — bright, open, confident. When the bottom third is a minor third (3 half steps), the chord is minor — darker, inward, a little wistful. One half step decides the whole chord's expression.
Look first, then go blind
Practice in two passes. First, toggle while watching the stack so you can see exactly how the middle note moves. Then close your eyes and toggle a few more rounds by ear alone. Give each sound your own adjective — major might be sunny and certain, minor might be cloudy and bittersweet. In blind listening, let the adjective surface first, then name the chord: it makes your answers much steadier.
Ear challenge
When you are ready, go: 8 blind rounds, major or minor by sound alone. Score 75 or better to pass.