Am Mineur Accord

A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third.

Am Accord — Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

The Am (Minor) chord consists of the notes A, C, E. It is constructed from the root note A using the minor interval formula (0–3–7 semitones).

Formula: 0 – 3 – 7

Notes

A – C – E

Intervals (semitones)

0 – 3 – 7

Type

Triad

Am on Piano

Press highlighted keys simultaneously to play the Am chord.

A (Root (R))

C (Minor 3rd (♭3))

E (Perfect 5th)

Am on Guitar

Fret numbers (low E → high e string): x02210 (x=mute, 0=open)

Interval Analysis

Degree	Interval Name	Semitones	Note in A
Root	Root (R)	0	A
3rd	Minor 3rd (♭3)	3	C
5th	Perfect 5th	7	E

About the A Mineur Chord

The Am chord (A Mineur) consists of 3 notes: A, C, E. A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third.

To build any minor chord, apply intervals of 0, 3, 7 semitones above the root. Starting from A: the notes land on A, C, E.

Playing Am on Piano

Press A, C, E simultaneously. In root position, A is lowest. First inversion places C in the bass for a lighter sound; second inversion uses E as the bass note.

Common Chord Progressions Using Am

I–IV–V: Am – Dm – Em (blues and rock)
I–V–vi–IV: Am – E – F#m – D (pop staple)
I–vi–IV–V: Am – F#m – D – E (50s progression)

The Am Chord in Context

As a minor chord, Am is the tonic (i) in the key of A minor. It also functions as the relative minor (vi chord) in C major, the ii chord in G major, and the iii chord in F major.

Other A Chords

Mineur Chord in All 12 Keys

Cm C#m Dm D#m Em Fm F#m Gm G#m Am A#m Bm

Knowledge Base & FAQs

Am Chord — Frequently Asked Questions

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What notes are in the Am chord?

The A Mineur chord contains: A, C, E.

These notes are derived by applying the minor interval formula (0–3–7 semitones) to the root note A.

What is the Am chord used for?

A darker, more melancholic triad with a minor third instead of a major third.

The Am chord is used across pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. As the I chord in the key of A major, it functions as the most stable resting point in progressions.

How do you play Am on piano?

On piano, play A, C, E simultaneously.

In root position, A is the lowest note. Inversions move the bass note up — first inversion has C lowest, second inversion has E lowest.

How many notes are in a minor chord?

A minor chord has 3 notes: A, C, E (in A).

It is a triad — the most fundamental chord type.

What is the difference between A major and A minor?

The A major chord (A–C#–E) uses a major third (4 semitones), giving it a bright, happy sound.

The A minor chord (A–C–E) uses a minor third (3 semitones), giving it a darker, emotional sound.

What key does Am belong to?

Am naturally serves as the I chord in the key of A major.

It also appears as IV in the key of E major, and as V in the key of D major.

Can I play Am on ukulele?

Yes.

The ukulele uses GCEA tuning with 4 strings. The Am chord notes (A, C, E) can be fretted on a ukulele, though the shapes differ from guitar due to the 4-string layout and shorter scale.

What chords go well with Am?

In the key of A major, Am pairs naturally with D major (IV), E major (V), and F#m (vi).

The classic I–IV–V (Am–D–E) is the foundation of blues, country, and rock.

What is a chord inversion of Am?

An inversion places a non-root note in the bass.

Am root position: A in bass. First inversion: C in bass. Second inversion: E in bass. Inversions create smoother bass line movement without changing the harmony.

How do I memorize the notes in a minor chord?

Remember the formula: 0–3–7 semitones from root.

For Am: start on A, add 3 semitones, then 7 semitones. Practicing this across all 12 roots builds instant recognition of any minor chord.