Chords in the key of A minor

The notes of A minor are A B C D E F G. Each note makes one chord, so these are the seven chords that belong together. Its relative major is C major, which uses exactly the same chords.

The seven chords in A minor

NumberChordFeels likeWhat it does
i Am Home The chord the key is named after. Songs usually start and end here.
ii° Bdim Tense An unstable chord that leads toward v. Rare outside jazz.
III C Bright The relative major. A brighter lift out of the minor sound.
iv Dm Lift Moves away from home with a dark, warm colour.
v Em Soft pull A gentle pull back to i. Many songs swap in a major V for a stronger pull.
VI F Warm A major chord that opens up the minor sound.
VII G Open A major chord a whole step below i. Common in rock and folk.

How to play them

Am

NUT E A D G B e × 2 3 1
NUT E A D G B e × 2 3 1

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Bdim

NUT E A D G B e × 1 2 4 3 ×
NUT E A D G B e × 1 2 4 3 ×

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

C

NUT E A D G B e × 3 2 1
NUT E A D G B e × 3 2 1

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Dm

NUT E A D G B e × × 2 3 1
NUT E A D G B e × × 2 3 1

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Em

NUT E A D G B e 2 3
NUT E A D G B e 2 3

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

F

NUT E A D G B e 1 3 4 2
NUT E A D G B e 1 3 4 2

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

G

NUT E A D G B e 2 1 3
NUT E A D G B e 2 1 3

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Tap a chord to see it bigger.

Famous progressions in A

Each one is written as numbers first, then as the real chords in A minor. Play each chord for one bar (four beats) unless you decide otherwise.

The three-chord minor song

i iv v

Am Dm Em

The minor-key version of the three-chord song. Dark and simple.

The epic minor progression

i VI III VII

Am F C G

Four chords that rise and fall. Common in rock, pop and film music.

The Andalusian descent

i VII VI V

Am G F E

Four chords stepping down, ending on a major V that pulls hard back to i. Flamenco in origin, and everywhere in rock.

Heard in: Hit the Road Jack

Seventh chords used above

E

NUT E A D G B e 2 3 1
NUT E A D G B e 2 3 1

The red NUT marks the start of the neck, by the tuning pegs; frets count away from it. The thickest string is the low E (the letters show each string). × = don't play it, ○ = play it open. Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little.

G D A E
G D A E

Mandolin, tuned G D A E (the letters under the strings). Each string is a pair played together. ○ = open string; the dots are where your fingers go.

Songs in A minor

Put these chords to work.

Other keys

C G D A E B F# Db Ab Eb Bb F | Am Em Bm F#m C#m G#m D#m Bbm Fm Cm Gm Dm

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