Top 3 Takeaways
1) A minor is built from the A minor scale – The Am chord uses the 1st, minor 3rd, and 5th notes (A, C, E), giving it its dark, emotional sound.
2) Two common ways to play Am on guitar – Beginners usually learn the open-position Am chord at the first fret, while more advanced players often use the barre chord version at the 5th fret.
3) A versatile chord with a moody tone – Because of its minor quality, Am is often used in slower, emotional, or dramatic songs, making it one of the most important beginner chords to master.
The Am chord on guitar, or also known as the A minor, is a triad composed from the A minor scale.
The most common ways to play it is in the open position, at the first fret, or as a barre chord in the fifth position.
Since it’s a minor chord, it is often used in slow or mellow songs thanks to its dark sounding tone.
What is an A minor Chord?
The A minor chord is made up of only three notes composed from the A minor scale.
Let’s take a look at the notes in the A minor scale below.
A - B - C - D - E - F - G
In order to make a minor chord from this, we must use this formula:
1 - 3(minor third) - 5
This means, we must take the first note, the minor third and the fifth.
The A minor triad looks like this:
A - C - E
How Do You Play an Am Chord on Guitar?
Here’s what an A minor looks on the guitar:
Guitar players only need to hold three notes when playing this chord in the open position.
-Use your first finger (index finger) to hold down the first fret of the B string.
-Use your second finger (middle finger) to hold down the second fret of the D string.
-Use your third finger (ring finger) to hold down the third fret of the G string.
Play the chord by down strumming every string except the sixth string, or low E string.
That’s it!
Am Barre Chord
In order to play this chord in the fifth position, one must play it as a barre chord.
A barre chord is when guitar players use their index finger to hold down all strings, creating a bar across the fretboard.
Here’s what an Am chord in this position looks like.
-Use your first finger to barre across the entire fifth fret.
-Use your third finger to hold down the seventh fret of the A string.
-Use your fourth finger to hold down the seventh fret of the D string.
Strum all strings to play an Am chord.
Songs Using A Minor
Let’s take a look at some popular songs that use this chord.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps - The Beatles
This classic from The Beatles was written by George Harrison and opens with an Am chord.
Another great reason why this is a great song to learn from is that there are a number of variations and extensions to the Am chord in play, including an Am/G and an Amadd11/F#.
Pretty wild!
The Thrill is Gone - B.B. King
Another great classic from the legend, B.B. King.
The guitarist was known for his biting licks and solos, but like a lot of blues numbers, the chord we’ve been focusing on is in use here.
Thanks to our Made Easy song lessons, we’ve distilled the song’s overall tone and emotion into an easily strummable lesson for even the greenest beginners.
Give it a shot!
Stay - Rihanna
Rihanna’s pop hit is a slow number that is a great exercise if you’re just starting to learn the A minor chord because it features the not only the standard chord but also the Am7.
The song requires the guitar player to switch back and forth between the two types of A minors and there’s no better way to work on your muscle memory than repetition.
FAQ
What notes are in the A minor chord?
The A minor chord is made up of three notes: A, C, and E. These create a simple triad that gives the chord its sad, dark sound.
What is the forbidden chord?
The so-called “forbidden chord” is the tritone interval, historically known as “diabolus in musica” (the devil in music). In the Middle Ages, it was avoided because of its harsh, dissonant sound.
What is the key of A minor?
The key of A minor contains no sharps or flats in its natural form. Its scale is A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.
What is A minor chord on guitar?
On guitar, the A minor chord (Am) is usually played in the open position using the notes A, E, A, C, and E.
How to play an A minor?
To play an open A minor chord on guitar:
-Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string.
-Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string.
-Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the G string.
Strum from the A string down.
Is A minor a sad key?
Yes, A minor is often associated with melancholy or emotional depth. It’s widely used in songs that aim to sound dramatic or somber.
What is the happiest key?
Many musicians consider C major or D major to be among the “happiest” keys because of their bright, uplifting sound.
What is the saddest key in music?
D minor is often called the saddest key in Western music. Classical composers like Mozart and Beethoven used it for deeply emotional works.
What is the saddest minor scale?
The natural minor scale, especially in keys like D minor or A minor, is typically associated with sadness. Some consider the harmonic minor sad but more dramatic due to its raised 7th note.
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