A minor chord on piano (Am)
Am is A, C and E. A sits between the last two black keys of the three. Tap Play, then slow it down.
root position · A–C–E · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- A · C · E
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · 5
How to play Am on piano
Start on A, count 3 half steps up to C then 4 half steps up to E. Those 3 keys are Am.
- Right hand: 1 on A, 3 on C and 5 on E.
- Left hand: 5 on A, 3 on C and 1 on E.
- On the keyboard it's white, white and white keys, the same pattern as Dm and Em, so your hand shape carries over.
Am inversions
- root position: A–C–E. Fingers 1-3-5.
- 1st inversion: C–E–A, with C at the bottom. RH 1-2-5.
- 2nd inversion: E–A–C, with E at the bottom. Right hand 1-3-5.
Use the inversions to stay put: the next chord is often one inversion away from where your hand already is, as the changes below show.
Am chord changes
The chords Am usually goes to, and what changes under your fingers.
- D (V in G major): Am to D: play D in 2nd inversion (A–D–F♯) and A stays under the same finger, while C moves up to D and E up to F♯. D on piano
- C (IV in G major): Am to C: play C in 2nd inversion (G–C–E) and C and E stay under the same fingers, while A moves down to G. C on piano
- G (I in G major): Am to G: play G in root position (G–B–D), while A moves down to G, C down to B and E down to D. G on piano
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 solid and then broken to hear the difference.
A short Am drill
Start with a broken chord, A C E C A, then play it solid. Finish with the inversions in order: A–C–E; C–E–A; E–A–C.
The keys of Am
Am is a minor chord, 1–♭3–5 from A. Root position, from the bottom: how Am is built.
| Note | Key | Fingers | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | white key | RH 1 · LH 5 | root |
| C | white key | RH 3 · LH 3 | minor third |
| E | white key | RH 5 · LH 1 | perfect fifth |
Keys and progressions with Am
In A minor, i–VI–III–VII on piano is Am (A–C–E), F (F–A–C), C (C–E–G) and G (G–B–D). About the minor anthem.
In A minor, i–iv–V on piano is Am (A–C–E), Dm (D–F–A) and E (E–G♯–B). About the minor cadence.
In A minor, i–VII–VI–V on piano is Am (A–C–E), G (G–B–D), F (F–A–C) and E (E–G♯–B). About the Andalusian cadence.
Am on guitar and ukulele
The same notes on another instrument: Am on guitar and Am on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.
Related A chords on piano
Other minor chords
Am on piano: questions
What notes are in Am on piano?
A, C and E: A (white key), C (white key) and E (white key). Right hand 1-3-5, left hand 5-3-1.
How do you play Am on piano?
Press A, C and E together, all white keys. Right hand: 1 on A, 3 on C and 5 on E.
What are the inversions of Am?
1st inversion (C–E–A) and 2nd inversion (E–A–C), after root position (A–C–E). Only the lowest note changes.
What does Am look like on the keyboard?
white, white and white keys, the same pattern as Dm and Em, so one hand shape covers all of them.
Shapes and sound are generated from the notes A, C and E and tested automatically. Updated September 2026.