Explore chords · Ukulele
A minor 7th chord on ukulele (Am7)
Also called or written Am7 or Amin7
A minor 7th contains A, C, E, and G. The 2nd fret grip stretches the pinky to the 4th fret, making it a demanding first chord.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7
How do you play an A minor 7th chord on ukulele?
A minor 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 4 3 3: index finger on the G string at fret 2, pinky finger on the C string at fret 4, middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and ring finger on the A string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 4 | E (5) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (♭3) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach the C string at fret 4 while the other fingers hold frets 2 and 3 cleanly.
Am7/G inversion
A minor 7th is played at the 5th fret as 5 7 5 7: index finger on the G string at fret 5, ring finger on the C string at fret 7, middle finger on the E string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 1 | C (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 3 | G (♭7) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (1) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (5) |
8th fret
A minor 7th is played at the 8th fret as 9 9 8 10: middle finger on the G string at fret 9, ring finger on the C string at fret 9, index finger on the E string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 2 | E (5) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 3 | A (1) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 1 | C (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 4 | G (♭7) |
Am7/C inversion · open position
A minor 7th is played in open position as 0 0 0 0. The G, C, E and A strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
Am7/C inversion · fret 12
A minor 7th is played at the 12th fret as 12 12 12 12: barre your index finger across fret 12.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 12 | 1 (barre) | G (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 12 | 1 (barre) | C (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 12 | 1 (barre) | E (5) |
| 1 (A) | 12 | 1 (barre) | A (1) |
Why it sounds like that
A minor 7th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7. The minor 7th interval from A to G gives the chord its unsettled, jazzy quality. Compare it to A minor, which stops at the triad.
What goes wrong with A minor 7th?
- Let the pinky collapse and mute the E string.
- Strum the G string too hard, overpowering the chord tones.
When to use it
A minor 7th works as the vi chord in C major, appearing in progressions like C–G–Am–F (I–V–vi–IV). It suits jazz, R&B, and mellow pop, often substituting for A minor to add color.
Changing to and from A minor 7th
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 1st fret gives A♭ minor 7th.
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 3rd fret gives B♭ minor 7th.
Which voicing to use
The 2nd fret voicing keeps A in the bass, giving a root-position sound. The Am7/C inversion at the 5th fret puts C in the bass for a darker, more grounded feel.
Other A chords
Common questions
How is A minor 7th written?
A minor 7th is written Amin7 or Am7.
What is the difference between A minor 7th and A minor?
A minor 7th adds the note G, a minor 7th above A. A minor contains only A, C, and E.
Can A minor 7th be played as an open chord?
Yes, the open strings G, C, E, and A form an Am7/G inversion. This voicing is easier but less defined in the bass.