A minor chord (Am)
The A minor chord (Am) is a minor triad made of A, C and E: root, minor third and perfect fifth.
It is the i in A minor and the vi in C major; its relative major is C major, and E dominant seventh leads into it as its V7.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play A minor on guitar
There are 3 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-0-2-2-1-0, open position, with A in the bass (fingers x-0-2-3-1-0).
- Voicing 2: 5-7-7-5-5-5, barre at fret 5, with A in the bass (fingers 1-3-4-1-1-1).
- Voicing 3: x-12-14-14-13-12, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 12, with A in the bass.
Notes of the A minor chord on the fretboard
A minor has 3 notes: A, C and E. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): E (0) · A (5) · C (8) · E (12)
- String 5 (A): A (0) · C (3) · E (7) · A (12)
- String 4 (D): E (2) · A (7) · C (10)
- String 3 (G): A (2) · C (5) · E (9)
- String 2 (B): C (1) · E (5) · A (10)
- String 1 (E): E (0) · A (5) · C (8) · E (12)
Formula and intervals of A minor
Its formula is 1-♭3-5; in semitones from the root, 0-3-7.
- A: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- C: Minor third (m3), 3 semitones above A
- E: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above A
A minor on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 2-0-0-0; it sounds A, C, E and A.
A minor on piano
- Keys: A4, C5 and E5.
Inversions of A minor
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: A, C and E, with A in the bass.
- First inversion (Am/C): C, E and A, with C in the bass.
- Second inversion (Am/E): E, A and C, with E in the bass.
Keys that use A minor
A minor appears in 6 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| G major (1 sharp) | ii | Supertonic |
| F major (1 flat) | iii | Mediant |
| C major (no sharps or flats) | vi | Submediant |
| A minor (no sharps or flats) | i | Tonic |
| E minor (1 sharp) | iv | Subdominant |
| D minor (1 flat) | v | Dominant |
Progressions with A minor
- Pop progression in C major (I–V–vi–IV): C – G – Am – F
- Pop progression starting on vi in C major (vi–IV–I–V): Am – F – C – G
- Turnaround in C major (I–vi–ii–V): C – Am – Dm – G
- Minor cadence in A minor (i–iv–V7): Am – Dm – E7
- Minor pop progression in A minor (i–VI–III–VII): Am – F – C – G
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A minor chord?
A, C and E: root, minor third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-♭3-5.
Which keys use A minor?
Mainly as the i in A minor and the vi in C major. In total it appears in 6 major and minor keys.
What is the relative major of A minor?
C major. A minor and C major are the tonic chords of two relative keys, which share the same key signature and the same scale notes.