A minor chord (Am)

Am is A, C and E: 1–♭3–5 built on A. See and hear it on all three instruments below.

On guitar

x-0-2-2-1-0 · open · easy

root position · A–C–E · right hand 1-3-5

2-0-0-0 · open · easy

Here's what the hand does on the most common changes, on guitar and on piano.

Am → D (V in G major)
Guitar: Am (x-0-2-2-1-0) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): the index finger goes to the G string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the high E string, 2nd fret, move the ring finger to the B string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Listen for A, which stays put while the rest moves.
Piano: Am to D: play D in 2nd inversion (A–D–F♯) and A stays under the same finger, while C moves up to D and E up to F♯. D
Am → C (IV in G major)
Guitar: Am (x-0-2-2-1-0) to C (x-3-2-0-1-0): your index and middle fingers stay put, your ring finger lands on the A string, 3rd fret. Very little moves, so this change comes fast. The two chords share C and E, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: Am to C: play C in 2nd inversion (G–C–E) and C and E stay under the same fingers, while A moves down to G. C
Am → G (I in G major)
Guitar: Am (x-0-2-2-1-0) to G (3-2-0-0-0-3): your index finger lands on the A string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the low E string, 3rd fret, the ring finger goes to the high E string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go.
Piano: Am to G: play G in root position (G–B–D), while A moves down to G, C down to B and E down to D. G

Guitar with a capo: capo 5, Em shape; capo 7, Dm shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 5, Em shape; capo 7, Dm shape.

Am has the gentle, slightly melancholy sound of a minor chord. It is home base in A minor and a common guest in major keys.

Count keys (black and white) from A: 3 half steps up to C then 4 half steps up to E.

Note	Role	Half steps
A	root	0
C	minor third	3
E	perfect fifth	7

In major keys, Am is ii in G major, iii in F major and vi in C major. In minor keys it is i in A minor, iv in E minor and v in D minor.

In A minor, i–VI–III–VII is Am – F – C – G. the minor anthem

i–iv–V in A minor runs Am – Dm – E – Am. the minor cadence

Play i–VII–VI–V in A minor and you get Am – G – F – E. the Andalusian cadence

Am – G – F – G: that's i–VII–VI–VII in the key of A minor. the epic minor loop

Chords that share most of their notes with Am: C6, Fmaj7, F♯m7♭5, Am7, Am6, D9.

What notes are in the A minor chord?

A, C and E. Am is built 1–♭3–5 from A: C is the minor third and E is the perfect fifth.

How do you play Am on guitar?

The usual shape is x-0-2-2-1-0 (open). All 4 guitar shapes.

How do you play Am on piano?

Play A, C and E with right-hand fingers 1-3-5. A sits between the last two black keys of the three. Inversions and left hand.

How do you play Am on ukulele?

2-0-0-0 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.

What key is Am in?

In major keys, Am is ii in G major, iii in F major and vi in C major. In minor keys it is i in A minor, iv in E minor and v in D minor.

What's the difference between Am and A?

Am and A differ by one note: C in Am, C♯ in A. They share A and E.

All three instruments are drawn and played from A, C and E by the same engine. Updated September 2026.