transpose.siteAm chord (A minor)
The Am chord is a minor chord built on A. A minor triad: a major chord with the third lowered by a half step. It sounds darker and calmer, common in ballads and minor-key songs.
Am guitar chord
Common shape
Barre, root on 6th string (fret 5)
The left vertical line is the 6th (thickest) string. Numbers in dots are fingers (1 index · 2 middle · 3 ring · 4 little), × means don't play that string and ○ means open.
Play it the easy way with a capo
- Capo on fret 5 + Em shape
- Capo on fret 7 + Dm shape
With a capo on for the whole song, every other chord moves by the same number of frets.
Am chord notes
| Degree | 1 (root) | ♭3 (minor 3rd) | 5 (perfect 5th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | A | C | E |
Am piano chord
On piano, press these 3 notes together. Bass players usually play the root, A.
Keys that use Am
- C major: vi
- F major: iii
- G major: ii
- D minor: v
- E minor: iv
- A minor: i
Progressions in C major
- C – G – Am – F (I – V – vi – IV, the most common pop progression)
- C – Am – F – G (I – vi – IV – V, the '50s progression, ballads)
Transposing Am
One half step up, Am becomes B♭m; one half step down, A♭m. To change the key of a whole PDF score, open it in the free PDF transposer.