Am7 Chord
How to play A minor 7th on guitar — smooth and mellow; a minor chord with the edge taken off.
- Notes
- A – C – E – G
- Frets (low → high)
- x 0 2 0 1 0
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Shape
- Open position
How to play Am7, step by step
- 1Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string (4th).
- 2Put your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string (2nd).
- 3Leave the low E string out — mute it with the side of a finger, or just avoid it as you strum.
- 4Let the A, G and high E strings ring open.
- 5Strum slowly and check every string sounds cleanly; if one buzzes, press closer to the fret wire and arch your fingers so they clear the neighbouring strings.
What makes a minor seventh chord
Smooth and mellow; a minor chord with the edge taken off.
| Note | Interval | Semitones above A |
|---|---|---|
| A | root | 0 |
| C | minor 3rd | 3 |
| E | 5th | 7 |
| G | minor 7th | 10 |
Other A chords
Same root, different colour. Swapping one of these into a progression is the quickest way to change its mood without changing the key.
Every minor 7th chord
The same shape moved around the neck. If you can play Am7 you are a fret-slide away from all of these.
Frequently asked questions
- What notes are in the Am7 chord?
- Am7 is made of A, C, E, G — the root, minor 3rd, 5th, minor 7th of A.
- Is Am7 hard to play?
- No — Am7 sits at x 0 2 0 1 0 and is rated beginner, so it is comfortable for most beginners.
Got a chart full of chords like Am7?
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