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A Minor Chord Guitar

Three fingers, no barre — often the very first chord guitarists learn.

Requires only three fingers and no barring — often a guitarist's first chord.
Its dark, reflective quality contrasts naturally with C major.
The relative minor of C major, sharing the same key signature.
Close fingering to C and Em makes it an easy first chord-change exercise.

Root3rd5th

E6th

FretMuted

Finger—

A5th

FretOpen

FingerOpen

D4th

Fret2

Finger2

G3rd

Fret2

Finger3

B2nd

Fret1

Finger1

e1st

FretOpen

FingerOpen

Notes: A – E – C · Formula: 1 – ♭3 – 5

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Questions about A Minor

What notes are in a A Minor chord?

A A Minor chord contains the notes A, E, C. It is built from the minor formula 1 - ♭3 - 5, with A as the root.

What is A minor the relative minor of?

A minor is the relative minor of C major — the two share exactly the same notes and key signature, with no sharps or flats. That's why Am and C sound so natural together and why swapping between them is such a common beginner exercise.

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