Am Guitar Chord
Am is a minor chord. Minor chords sound darker and sadder than major chords. Its notes are A, C and E. Below are 3 ways to play it, each with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in Am
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| A | R | Root |
| C | b3 | Minor 3rd |
| E | 5 | Perfect 5th |
Formula: 1–b3–5
Am chord shapes
Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. In the tab, x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. In the diagrams the top line is the 1st (thinnest) string and the nut is on the left.
Open
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x 0 2 2 1 0
- Fingers
- – – 2 3 1 –
E-shape 5fr
- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- 5 7 7 5 5 5
- Fingers
- 1 3 4 1 1 1
D-shape 9fr
- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x x 7 9 10 8
- Fingers
- – – 1 3 4 2
How to play Am (easiest shape)
Shape: Open, tab x 0 2 2 1 0 (6th to 1st string).
- 1Put your index finger (1) on the 2nd string at the 1st fret.
- 2Put your middle finger (2) on the 4th string at the 2nd fret.
- 3Put your ring finger (3) on the 3rd string at the 2nd fret.
- 4Let the 5th and 1st strings ring open.
- 5Don't play the 6th string.
- 6Strum down from the 5th string to the 1st string.
Am: common questions
- What notes are in the Am chord?
- Am has 3 notes: A, C and E. Counted from the root, that is 1–b3–5.
- Is there an easier way to play Am?
- The easiest shape on this page is "Open" (x 0 2 2 1 0). It needs no barre: each finger presses just one string.
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See all 231 chords in the chord library, find a scale to play over them, or tune up before you start.