To play the A minor (Am) chord on piano, begin by locating the note A, which is the note prior to the last of the three black keys. Once you’ve found it, combine A with C and E to create the Am chord on piano.
A minor notes
The A minor chord is made of three notes: A, C and E.
These notes are called the root (A), third (C) and fifth (E). Together, they create a somber and emotional sound.
To play this chord in its root position (basic form) with your right hand, use these fingers:
- E – Fifth finger (5)
- C – Third finger (3)
- A – Thumb (1)
For the left hand, use the following fingers:
- E – Thumb (1)
- C – Third finger (3)
- A – Fifth finger (5)
The inversions of A minor chord
The inversions of the A minor chord are formed by rearranging the order the notes are played in. Chord inversions allow you to play the same chord with a different sound and control how you play each note of the chord.
The A minor chord has two inversions:
- The first inversion of A minor places the A at the top of the chord, leaving the C as the lowest note.
- The second inversion of A minor places both the A and C at the top, leaving the E as the lowest note.
Let’s break down these inversions further and discover how to play them on the piano.
How to play the first inversion of A minor?
To play the first inversion of the A minor piano chord, start with C as the lowest note. Next, play E above it and finally add A as the highest note. This gives the chord a fresh sound, great for smooth transitions between chords.
For the right hand, use these fingers:
- C – Thumb (1)
- E – Middle finger (3)
- A – Fifth finger (5)
For the left hand, use these fingers:
- C – Fifth finger (5)
- E – Third finger (3)
- A – Thumb (1)
How to play the second inversion of A minor?
To play the second inversion of the A minor chord on piano, start with E as the lowest note. Then, play A above it, and finally, add C as the highest note. This inversion gives the chord a new texture and is perfect for smooth chord transitions.
For the right hand, use these fingers:
- E – Thumb (1)
- A – Middle finger (3)
- C – Fifth finger (5)
For the left hand, use these fingers:
- E – Fifth finger (5)
- A – Third finger (3)
- C – Thumb (1)
A minor chord progression
The A minor chord progression is widely used in various genres, from rock and pop to jazz and classical music. An Am chord progression often includes chords like Am, C, G, and E. Here are some popular A minor chord progressions:
- Am – F – C – G
- Am – G – C – E
- Am – Em – F – Dm
- Am – F – G – E
These progressions highlight the versatility of the A minor chord progression, offering a range of moods from somber to uplifting. They are a great way to put your knowledge of piano chords to the test. To understand these chord symbols and how to play them check out the Skoove’s tailor made beginner chord progression courses.
Piano chords generator
💡 If you are reading this from a mobile device, rotate it to display the tool in full width.
1. Click on “Chords”
2. Choose the “Root” of the chord
3. Choose the “Chord qualities” (major, minor, etc.)
4. Click “Display”
Popular songs to play with the Am piano chords
Madonna – 4 Minutes
Queen – Another One Bites the Dust
David Guetta – Baby Don’t Hurt Me
Author of this blog post:
Susana Pérez Posada
With over seven years of piano education and a deep passion for music therapy, Susana brings a unique blend of expertise to Skoove. A graduate in Music Therapy from SRH Hochschule Heidelberg and an experienced classical pianist from Universidad EAFIT, she infuses her teaching with a holistic approach that transcends traditional piano lessons. Susana’s writings for Skoove combine her rich musical knowledge with engaging storytelling, enriching the learning experience for pianists of all levels. Away from the piano, she loves exploring new places and immersing herself in a good book, believing these diverse experiences enhance her creative teaching style.
Published by Lydia Ogn from the Skoove team
