The A minor chord contains A – C – E (Root – Minor 3rd – Perfect 5th). Standard open position: x02210. It appears in A minor (i), C major (vi), F major (iii).
Character & Sound
Soulful and melancholic — A minor is one of the most expressive open chords on guitar. Its open, resonant voicing makes it ideal for emotional ballads, classical pieces, and minor-key rock.
Rock, classical, folk, flamenco. The Am chord is essential in minor-key progressions and appears as the vi chord in C major — making Am-F-C-G one of the most common pop chord progressions.
The parallel chord is A major — same root, major 3rd instead of minor. Compare them side by side in the Chord Finder.
How to Play the A Minor Guitar Chord
Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, ring finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, and index finger on the 1st fret of the B string. Strum from the A string (mute low E). This is one of the first chords beginner guitarists learn.
Songs That Use Am
- "Stairway to Heaven" – Led Zeppelin (intro)
- "House of the Rising Sun" – The Animals
- "Sultans of Swing" – Dire Straits
- "Smells Like Teen Spirit" – Nirvana
Explore Chord Voicings Interactively
The MusoKit Chord Finder shows every voicing on guitar, piano, and ukulele — with audio playback.
Open Chord Finder →Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the A minor chord?
The A minor chord contains A – C – E (root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th).
How do you play A minor on guitar?
x02210 open position: middle on 2nd fret D, ring on 2nd fret G, index on 1st fret B. Strum from the A string.
What keys use the A minor chord?
A minor appears in A minor (i), C major (vi), F major (iii), and G major (ii).
Is A minor hard to play?
No — Am is one of the easiest chords on guitar. It only requires three fingers in a compact, comfortable shape on the first two frets.