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Am(Minor Chord)

A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third.

Notes
A – C – E
Intervals (semitones)
0 – 3 – 7
Type
Triad

🎹 Am on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the Am chord.

R
A(Root (R))
2
C(Minor 3rd (♭3))
3
E(Perfect 5th)

🎸 Am on Guitar

The Am chord uses notes A, C, E. Build a voicing by finding these notes on any strings — root on the 6th string is a common starting point for barre chord shapes.

Interval Analysis

DegreeInterval NameSemitonesNote in A
RootRoot (R)0A
3rdMinor 3rd (♭3)3C
5thPerfect 5th7E

About the A Minor Chord

The Am chord (A Minor) consists of 3 notes: A, C, E. A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third.

To build any minor chord, apply intervals of 0, 3, 7 semitones above the root. Starting from A: the notes land on A, C, E.

Playing Am on Piano

Press A, C, E simultaneously. In root position, A is lowest. First inversion places C in the bass for a lighter sound; second inversion uses E as the bass note.

Common Chord Progressions Using Am

  • I–IV–V: Am – Dm – Em (blues and rock)
  • I–V–vi–IV: Am – E – F#m – D (pop staple)
  • I–vi–IV–V: Am – F#m – D – E (50s progression)

The Am Chord in Context

As a minor chord, Am is the tonic (I) in the key of A major. It also appears as the IV chord in E major, and as the V chord in D major — making it one of the most important chords across all of Western music.

Other A Chords

A
Major
A7
Dominant 7th
Amaj7
Major 7th
Am7
Minor 7th
Adim
Diminished
Aaug
Augmented

Minor Chord in All 12 Keys

CmC#mDmD#mEmFmF#mGmG#mAmA#mBm
🎹 Virtual Piano
Play Am on piano
🎸 Virtual Guitar
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🎵 A Scale
Notes that fit Am
🎶 Songs
Find songs using Am

FAQ

Am Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Am chord?
The A Minor chord contains: A, C, E. These notes are derived by applying the minor interval formula (0–3–7 semitones) to the root note A.
What is the Am chord used for?
A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third. The Am chord is used across pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. As the I chord in the key of A major, it functions as the most stable resting point in progressions.
How do you play Am on piano?
On piano, play A, C, E simultaneously. In root position, A is the lowest note. Inversions move the bass note up — first inversion has C lowest, second inversion has E lowest.
How many notes are in a minor chord?
A minor chord has 3 notes: A, C, E (in A). It is a triad — the most fundamental chord type.
What is the difference between A major and A minor?
The A major chord (A–C#–E) uses a major third (4 semitones), giving it a bright, happy sound. The A minor chord (A–C–E) uses a minor third (3 semitones), giving it a darker, emotional sound.
What key does Am belong to?
Am naturally serves as the I chord in the key of A major. It also appears as IV in the key of E major, and as V in the key of D major.
Can I play Am on ukulele?
Yes. The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The Am chord notes (A, C, E) can be fretted on a ukulele, though the shapes differ from guitar due to the 4-string layout and shorter scale.
What chords go well with Am?
In the key of A major, Am pairs naturally with D major (IV), E major (V), and F#m (vi). The classic I–IV–V (Am–D–E) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.
What is a chord inversion of Am?
An inversion places a non-root note in the bass. Am root position: A in bass. First inversion: C in bass. Second inversion: E in bass. Inversions create smoother bass line movement without changing the harmony.
How do I memorize the notes in a minor chord?
Remember the formula: 0–3–7 semitones from root. For Am: start on A, add 3 semitones, then 7 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any minor chord.