All major and minor chords have a perfect fifth interval (7 half-steps) from the root note. A perfect fifth can be divided into a minor 3rd (3 half-steps) and a major 3rd (4 half-steps). If the interval between the fifth of the root note is a minor 3rd before a major 3rd, it is a minor chord. If it is a major 3rd before a minor 3rd, it is a major chord.
EXAMPLE:
E Chord
In the E major chord, there is a root note (E) on the D string, the note on the G string is a G# note which is a major 3rd of the root note and the note on the B string is a B note which is a minor 3rd of the G# note. The major 3rd comes before the minor 3rd which makes it a major chord.
Em Chord
In the E minor chord, there is a root note (E) on the D string, the note on the G string is a G note which is a minor 3rd of the root note and the note on the B string is a B note which is a major 3rd of the G note. The minor 3rd comes before the major 3rd which makes it a minor chord.
Graphics From:
http://www.rifftv.com/guitar_chords/graphics/
For more instructions on naming chords:
cnx.org
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