Guitar Am chord diagram
Am is one of the essential Guitar chords. On Chordier, this chord appears in 1,994 different songs. On this page, you can find how to play Am, alternative positions, and core chord transitions.
To play Am, follow these steps: Place index finger on B string fret 1. Place middle finger on D string fret 2. Place ring finger on G string fret 2.
Tips
- Place B string with your index finger and D string with your middle finger with a vertical finger angle so nearby strings ring clearly without buzz.
- On B string, press fret 1 with your index finger close to the fret wire (not on top) for a cleaner tone.
- Finger choices on Am can be optimized for the next chord. For example, when moving from Am to F, using on D string, use your ring finger, on G string, use your pinky, and on B string, use your middle finger helps preserve hand position with minimal movement.
- Mute unused strings to avoid unwanted ringing.
Chord Theory
- Notes
- A - C - E
- Intervals
- 1 - b3 - 5
- Chord Type
- Minor — soft and melancholic character
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Voicings
- 7
Alternative Positions
Different ways to play Am on the fretboard, from beginner-friendly to advanced voicings.
Guitar Am chord diagram5-7-7-5-5-5
Guitar Am chord diagramx-3-2-2-1-x
Guitar Am chord diagramx-3-2-2-5-5
Guitar Am chord diagramx-3-2-5-5-5
Easy Transition Chords
These chords have similar finger positions to Am, making them ideal for practice transitions.
1. Am → Am/E chord transition
To move from Am to Am/E, follow these steps:
- Keep index finger on B string fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on D string fret 2.
- Keep ring finger on G string fret 2.
2. Am → Am7 chord transition
To move from Am to Am7, follow these steps:
- While playing Am, lift your ring finger from G string fret 2.
- Keep index finger on B string fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on D string fret 2.
3. Am → Amaj7 chord transition
To move from Am to Amaj7, follow these steps:
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on D string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from G string fret 2 to B string fret 2.
4. Am → Asus2 chord transition
To move from Am to Asus2, follow these steps:
- While playing Am, lift your index finger from B string fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on D string fret 2.
- Keep ring finger on G string fret 2.
5. Am → C#m/A | D♭m/A chord transition
To move from Am to C#m/A | D♭m/A, follow these steps:
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on D string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from G string fret 2 to B string fret 2.
6. Am → C#m/E | D♭m/E chord transition
To move from Am to C#m/E | D♭m/E, follow these steps:
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on G string fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on D string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from G string fret 2 to B string fret 2.
Most Common Transitions
The most frequent chord transitions from Am across songs on this site.
1. Am → F chord transition
To move from Am to F, follow these steps:
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 3.
- Place pinky on D string fret 3.
On Chordier, songs containing Am use the transition to F at 25.8%. You can practice this transition in 744 different songs.
2. Am → G chord transition
To move from Am to G, follow these steps:
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from G string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 3.
On Chordier, songs containing Am use the transition to G at 21.4%. You can practice this transition in 747 different songs.
3. Am → C chord transition
To move from Am to C, follow these steps:
- Keep index finger on B string fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on D string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 3.
On Chordier, songs containing Am use the transition to C at 16.2%. You can practice this transition in 652 different songs.
4. Am → Em chord transition
To move from Am to Em, follow these steps:
- While playing Am, lift your index finger from B string fret 1.
- Lift your middle finger from D string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from G string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
On Chordier, songs containing Am use the transition to Em at 10.4%. You can practice this transition in 369 different songs.
5. Am → Dm chord transition
To move from Am to Dm, follow these steps:
- Lift your index finger from B string fret 1 and place it on E string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from D string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from G string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 3.
On Chordier, songs containing Am use the transition to Dm at 7.6%. You can practice this transition in 317 different songs.
Compatible Scales
These scales include Am and highlight the companion chords that fit the same key.
Songs Using Am Chord
Popular songs that feature the Am chord, perfect for practice.
Songs in Original Key of Am
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Am easy to play on Guitar?
Guitar Am is beginner-friendly. It spans 2 frets. Practice slowly to keep each note clean.
What is the easiest way to play Am?
There is a simpler alternative for Am on Guitar. The alternative voicing uses fingering x-3-2-5-5-5. This voicing reduces hand movement and makes clean transitions easier.
What chords transition well from Am on Guitar?
Guitar Am commonly moves to F and G. Based on our catalog data, Am to F is recorded 7,518 times, appears in 744 songs, and represents 25.8% of outgoing Am transitions. Am to G is recorded 6,233 times, appears in 747 songs, and represents 21.4%.
What songs use the Am chord?
Ariana Grande - Winter Things Chords is one of 8 songs that use the Am chord.