A minor chords

A - C - E

A minor chords include the 1st, b3rd and 5th notes of the A major scale. The b3rd gives the chord a distinctive sound of melancholy or sadness.

Construction: root, minor third, and perfect fifth.
A Major Scale: A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G#
Chord: Am
Formula: 1 - ♭3 - 5
Notes: A - C - E

Am - A minor (1-b3-5)

Spelling: 1st(A), b3rd(C), 5th(E)

Chart Legend

Numbered Circles: number inside circle indicates which finger to use
X: Don't play string
White Numbered Circles: Optional Notes
X on string with optional note: if you omit the note, don't play string
Unmarked strings: Play open
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings
R: Root Note

TAB: Numbers represent frets - not finger positions
Blank Strings: Do not Play
0: play string open

1st

Written: x02210
Notes: x-A-E-A-C-E
Form/chord shape: Am

TAB
e |-0-|
B |-1-|
G |-2-|
D |-2-|
A |-0-|
E |---|

2nd

Written: 577555
Notes: A-E-A-C-E-A
Form/chord shape: Em

TAB    
e |-5-|
B |-5-|
G |-5-|
D |-7-|
A |-7-|
E |-5-|

3rd

Written: x-0-7-9-10-8
Notes: x(E)-A-C#-G-A-E
Form/chord shape: Dm

TAB    
e |-8--|
B |-10-|
G |-9--|
D |-7--|
A |-0--|
E |----|

↓ A minor chords

Notes

An easy wasy to remember the 3rd position Am chord is to play a Dm chord with fingers 2, 3, and 4 starting on the 8th fret. Then, simply add your first finger to the 4th string 7th fret.

If you play a Dm in the normal position starting on the first fret and move up 7 frets (semitones), you reach Am.

Adding your first finger takes care of the tonic or root note, with an open A, an octave below the tonic... neat sweet and complete!

Standard keys using Am chords include: C/Am, G/Em, F/Dm

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