The A minor chord (Am) is made of the notes A, C and E. It is built from the root A with a minor third and a perfect fifth.
The minor chord has a darker, more melancholic color; it is the home chord of minor keys.
A minor
Notes: A – C – E
Guitar — positions on the neck
Piano — root position and inversions
Fingerings and positions
On guitar, this chord can be played in 5 ways along the neck. The lowest shape is an open chord (no barre), easier for beginners. Example fingering (from the low E string to the high E string, x = muted string): x02210. On piano, the right hand plays 3 notes, in root position or in an inversion.
Notes and intervals
Note
Interval
A
root
C
minor third
E
perfect fifth
In which keys? The A minor chord is the vi of C major, the iii of F major, the ii of G major, the v of D minor, the iv of E minor and the i of A minor.
The notes of the A minor chord (Am) are A, C and E.
How do you play the A minor chord on guitar?
On guitar, this chord can be played in 5 ways along the neck. The lowest shape is an open chord (no barre), easier for beginners. Example fingering (from the low E string to the high E string, x = muted string): x02210.
How is the A minor chord built?
The A minor chord (Am) is made of the notes A, C and E. It is built from the root A with a minor third and a perfect fifth.