Am Chord on Guitar
Am is the A minor chord — 3 notes (A, C, E) built from the formula 1 ♭3 5. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.
Am: Chord shapes (open & barre)
- open position
- fret 2
- fret 5
- fret 7
- fret 9
- fret 12
Am: Triad voicings (3 strings)
- bass: R
- bass: R
- bass: R
- bass: R
- bass: ♭3
- bass: ♭3
- bass: ♭3
- bass: ♭3
- bass: 5
- bass: 5
- bass: 5
- bass: 5
Keys that contain Am
Scales to play over Am
- A Minor Scale
- A Dorian Mode
- A Minor Pentatonic Scale
- A Phrygian Mode
- A Harmonic Minor Scale
- A Melodic Minor Scale
Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain A, C, E.
Other A chords
Minor chords in other keys
FAQ
- What notes are in the Am chord?
- Am (A minor) contains A, C, E — formula 1 ♭3 5.
- How do you play Am on guitar?
- A common shape is x02210 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
- What scale goes with Am?
- Good choices to solo over Am: A Aeolian (Minor), A Dorian, A Minor pentatonic.
- What key is Am in?
- Am is diatonic in C major (vi), F major (iii), G major (ii), D minor (v), E minor (iv), A minor (i).