Piano chord
AmA minor
- A1
- C♭3
- E5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 7semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-5
How to play Am on piano
- Find A: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on A, 3 on C, 5 on E.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on A, 3 on C, 1 on E.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · A – C – E
1st inversion · C – E – A
2nd inversion · E – A – C
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Am inversions
Am can be played in 3 positions. In root position A is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: ARight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 1st inversionbass: CRight hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 2nd inversionbass: ERight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
Chords that go with Am
The other chords of A minor, the key where Am is home (i). Songs in this key move between them.
Am with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays A an octave lower, the right hand plays A–C–E.
Am on other instruments
About the Am chord
A minor has 3 notes: A (1), C (♭3), E (5). A minor triad: the third is lowered by a semitone, which gives it the darker, softer sound. Move the middle key one key down from the major chord and you have it.
On the keyboard, start from A and add the other notes above it: A – C – E. From the lowest to the highest key that is 7 semitones. That is less than an octave, so Am sits comfortably under one hand.
Each inversion of Am puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is C (C–E–A). In the 2nd inversion the bass is E (E–A–C).
Am is Am7 without G.
Keys that contain Am: C major (vi), F major (iii), G major (ii), A minor (i), D minor (v).
Questions
What notes are in the Am chord?
Am (A minor) has 3 notes: A (1), C (♭3), E (5).
How many inversions does Am have?
Am can be played in 3 positions: Root position (A–C–E); 1st inversion (C–E–A); 2nd inversion (E–A–C).
What is the difference between Am and Am7?
Am is Am7 without G.
Can I play Am with one hand?
Yes. In root position Am spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.