A minor chord on guitar (Am)

Am is A, C and E. The easiest shape is x-0-2-2-1-0. Press Play to hear it, then try it at half speed.

How to play Am on guitar

Shape 1, x-0-2-2-1-0, reading from the low E string on the left:

1. Put your index finger on the B string at the 1st fret, which is C.
2. Put your middle finger on the D string at the 2nd fret, which is E.
3. Put your ring finger on the G string at the 2nd fret, which is A.
4. The open A and high E strings add A and E; don't touch them.
5. Skip the low E string and begin the strum from the A string.

• Arch your fingers so their tips come down vertically. That keeps them off the open strings, which have to ring for the chord to sound complete.

Other ways to play Am

• 5-7-7-5-5-5: barre shape at the 5th fret, medium. The root is on the low E string, so you can slide this shape to play any minor chord.
• x-12-14-14-13-12: barre shape at the 12th fret, medium. The root is on the A string; it's the Am shape moved up the neck.
• x-12-10-9-10-x: movable shape at the 9th fret, medium. Only the thinner strings sound, which cuts through a band without getting muddy.

Capo shortcuts for Am

A capo turns an open chord into Am: capo on the 5th fret and play the open Em shape (0-2-2-0-0-0) or capo on the 7th fret and play the open Dm shape (x-x-0-2-3-1). Handy when the rest of the song's chords also have open shapes in that position.

Changing from Am to the chords around it

The chords Am usually goes to, and what changes under your fingers.

• D (V in G major): 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. D on guitar
• C (IV in G major): 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. C on guitar
• G (I in G major): 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. G on guitar

Am has the gentle, slightly melancholy sound of a minor chord. A minor chord softens a progression. Try Am right after A major to hear how much one note changes. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

A short Am drill

Arpeggiate x-0-2-2-1-0 from the lowest string: A, E, A, C, E. Then strum it and listen for the same 5 notes together. Finish by moving between x-0-2-2-1-0 and 5-7-7-5-5-5 to learn two positions of the same chord.

Am in context

• ii in G major
• iii in F major
• vi in C major
• i in A minor
• iv in E minor
• v in D minor

In A minor, i–VI–III–VII on guitar is Am (x-0-2-2-1-0), F (1-3-3-2-1-1), C (x-3-2-0-1-0) and G (3-2-0-0-0-3). About the minor anthem.

In A minor, i–iv–V on guitar is Am (x-0-2-2-1-0), Dm (x-x-0-2-3-1) and E (0-2-2-1-0-0). About the minor cadence.

In A minor, i–VII–VI–V on guitar is Am (x-0-2-2-1-0), G (3-2-0-0-0-3), F (1-3-3-2-1-1) and E (0-2-2-1-0-0). About the Andalusian cadence.

Am on piano and ukulele

The same notes on another instrument: Am on piano and Am on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.

Next to try on guitar

• A
• Am7
• Am6
• Asus2
• Asus4
• Adim

Other minor chords

• Cm
• C♯m
• Dm
• E♭m
• Em
• Fm
• F♯m
• Gm
• G♯m
• B♭m
• Bm

Shapes and sound are generated from the notes A, C and E and tested automatically. Updated September 2026. Print this chord