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A Minor Chord on Guitar

231

Open Am. It is the open E shape moved over one string. Strum from the open A.

The A minor chord, written Am, is a five-string open chord and often the first minor chord guitarists learn.

How to play Am, finger by finger

  1. Put your index finger on string 2 at the 1st fret.
  2. Put your middle finger on string 4 at the 2nd fret.
  3. Put your ring finger on string 3 at the 2nd fret.
  4. Strum from string 5 down to string 1, and don't play string 6.

More ways to play Am

5fr1341
E-shape barre from fret 5
21
Open near the nut
2fr134
Open, fret 2 from fret 2
3fr2134
Open, fret 3 from fret 3
5fr4123
Movable, fret 5 from fret 5
7fr1342
Movable, fret 7 from fret 7
9fr4213
Movable, fret 9 from fret 9
12fr1342
Movable, fret 12 from fret 12

Notes in A minor

NoteIntervalRole
A1root
C♭3minor third
E5fifth

Formula: 1 – ♭3 – 5

Questions about Am

How is Am different from C?

Both use the 1st fret of the 2nd string and the 2nd fret of the 4th. Move your ring finger from the 5th string to the 3rd string, 2nd fret, and C becomes Am.

Often played with Am

Other minor chords