Explore chords · Ukulele
A minor chord on ukulele (Am)
Also called or written Am or Amin
A minor is built from A, C, and E. This open shape needs only one fretted note, making it a quick first chord.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5
How do you play an A minor chord on ukulele?
A minor is played in open position as 2 0 0 0: index finger on the G string at fret 2. The C, E and A strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
BeginnerThe only fretted note is the G string at the 2nd fret, so the hardest part is letting the three open strings ring cleanly.
Amin/C inversion · C on top
A minor is played in open position as 2 0 0 3: index finger on the G string at fret 2 and middle finger on the A string at fret 3. The C and E strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (♭3) |
7th fret · ×-9-8-7
A minor is played at the 7th fret as × 9 8 7: ring finger on the C string at fret 9, middle finger on the E string at fret 8 and index finger on the A string at fret 7. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 3 | A (1) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 2 | C (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 1 | E (5) |
Amin/E inversion
A minor is played at the 3rd fret as 5 4 5 3: ring finger on the G string at fret 5, middle finger on the C string at fret 4, pinky finger on the E string at fret 5 and index finger on the A string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 3 | C (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 2 | E (5) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 4 | A (1) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 1 | C (♭3) |
7th fret · 9-9-8-7
A minor is played at the 7th fret as 9 9 8 7: ring finger on the G string at fret 9, pinky finger on the C string at fret 9, middle finger on the E string at fret 8 and index finger on the A string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 3 | E (5) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 4 | A (1) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 2 | C (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 1 | E (5) |
Why it sounds like that
A minor uses the formula 1, ♭3, 5. The ♭3, C, gives the chord its darker colour. Raise that note a semitone to C♯ and you get A major.
What goes wrong with A minor?
- Letting the index finger flatten onto the C string, which deadens the open note.
- Strumming before the fretted G is secure, causing a buzz at the 2nd fret.
When to use it
A minor is the vi chord in C major, so it anchors the I–V–vi–IV progression: C major–G major–A minor–F major. Use it for folk, pop, and ballads that need a minor colour without leaving the open position.
Changing to and from A minor
- Move to C major by lifting the index finger and placing it on the A string at the 3rd fret while the other strings stay open.
Which voicing to use
The open shape keeps A in the bass and suits strummed songs. The 7th fret voicing puts the same notes higher for a brighter cut, while the A minor/C inversion softens the root with C in the bass.
Other A chords
Common questions
How is A minor written?
A minor appears as Am, Amin, A−, or Ami. The root is A, and no enharmonic spelling is used.
Why does A minor sound darker than A major?
A minor lowers the third from C♯ to C. That ♭3 interval creates the minor quality, while A major uses a major third.
Can I play A minor with a barre?
The open shape avoids a barre entirely. The 7th fret voicing uses no barre either, but the A minor/C inversion at the 5th fret requires a full barre.