A minor (Am) on guitar
The A minor scale consists of the notes A – B – C – D – E – F – G and has no sharps or flats. Below you can see every usable note on the neck up to fret 15.
♪ Click a note on the fretboard to hear its sound.
Chords in A minor
Common progression: Am – F – C – G (i–VI–III–VII).
Quick overview
- Root note
- A
- Mode
- minor
- Key signature
- no sharps or flats
- Pentatonic
- A C D E G
- Relative key
- C major
Well-known songs in A minor
- Ain't No SunshineBill Withers
- Ain't Talkin' 'bout LoveVan Halen
- AngieThe Rolling Stones
- Bad RomanceLady Gaga
- CalifornicationRed Hot Chili Peppers
- Dani CaliforniaRed Hot Chili Peppers
- DreamsFleetwood Mac
- Hit the Road JackRay Charles
- House of the Rising SunThe Animals
- HurtJohnny Cash
- I Will SurviveGloria Gaynor
- Losing My ReligionR.E.M.
- Miss YouThe Rolling Stones
- Oye Como VaSantana
- Parisienne WalkwaysGary Moore
- RhiannonFleetwood Mac
- SmoothSantana ft. Rob Thomas
- Smooth CriminalMichael Jackson
- Stairway to HeavenLed Zeppelin
- Still Got the BluesGary Moore
- The House of the Rising SunThe Animals
- While My Guitar Gently WeepsThe Beatles
- Whipping PostThe Allman Brothers Band
- Wild WorldCat Stevens
Key of the original recording; live versions or covers may differ.
CAGED positions
With the CAGED system you play Am in five positions across the whole neck. Each shape connects to the next.
- Am shapearound fret 0 · root on A string, fret 0
- Gm shapearound fret 2 · root on low E string, fret 5
- Em shapearound fret 5 · root on low E string, fret 5
- Dm shapearound fret 7 · root on D string, fret 7
- Cm shapearound fret 9 · root on A string, fret 12
Learn A minor in 5 steps
Step 1
Find the root note A
Find A on the low E string (fret 5) and on the A string (fret 12). Play them alternately and say the name out loud. Every pattern below hangs off these two points.
Step 2
Play the main chords
Learn the three most important chords: Am (i), Dm (iv) and Em (v). Switch between them at a slow tempo until you can play through without stopping.
Step 3
Learn the pentatonic in box 1
The minor pentatonic (A C D E G) is the first pattern to learn. Put your index finger around fret 5 and play two notes per string, from the low E to the high e and back.
Step 4
Extend to the full scale
Add the two missing notes (B and F) in the same position. Now you're playing all seven notes of A mineur: A B C D E F G.
Step 5
Improvise over a chord progression
Record Am – F – G – Am (or ask someone to play it) and solo over it using box 1. End your phrases on A and listen to how that "coming home" sounds.
Playing A minor with a capo
- No capo, shapes in Am
- Capo at fret 5, shapes in Em
- Capo at fret 7, shapes in Dm
Solo tips for A minor
- Start with the minor pentatonic scale (A C D E G). The best-known "box" pattern starts on the root A on the low E string, fret 5.
- End your phrases on the root A for a resolved feeling, or on the third C and fifth E for tension.
- Add the blue note E♭ as a passing note for a bluesy sound — don't linger on it too long.
- Over the Em chord (the v) deliberately play the notes of that chord to make the chord changes audible.
- Want a more classical, "Spanish" sound? Raise the 7th degree to G♯ (harmonic minor), especially over the V chord.
Frequently asked questions about A minor
Which notes are in A mineur?
A mineur (Am) consists of the notes A, B, C, D, E, F, G. The key signature has no sharps or flats.
Which chords fit A mineur?
The diatonic chords in A mineur are Am, Bdim, C, Dm, Em, F, G. You can freely combine them; they all sound good within the key.
What is the relative key of A mineur?
The relative key is C major. It uses exactly the same notes and key signature, just with a different tonal centre.
Which pentatonic scale do you use in A mineur?
Use the minor pentatonic scale: A, C, D, E, G. It avoids the "tricky" half-step intervals and almost always sounds good.
How do I find A on the guitar neck?
You'll find the root A on the low E string at fret 5 and on the A string at fret 12, among other places.