The A minor chord, written Am, contains A, C, and E.
The A minor chord, written Am, contains A, C, and E. All three are white-key notes. In root position, play A as the lowest note, with C and E above it.
The example below uses A3–C4–E4, with C4 as middle C. Listen to these notes together or individually, then compare the two inversions.
Chord symbol: Am. Chord tones: A–C–E. A is the root, C is the minor third, and E is the perfect fifth. The root stays A in every inversion.
Choose a position to change the lowest note. The keyboard diagram, note list, and playback all follow that same selection.
The root-position example uses A3–C4–E4, with C4 as middle C. Listen to the notes, then move the lowest note with the inversion selector.
Start with C4, middle C. A3 is two white-key steps to its left: move past B3 to A3. E4 is two white-key steps to the right of C4: move past D4 to E4.
The marked keys show pitches, not a hand shape or a required fingering.
An inversion changes which chord tone is lowest. First inversion puts C in the bass; second inversion puts E in the bass. The letters after the slash in Am/C and Am/E identify that bass note.
These examples use close position without doubled notes. Other spacings are possible; the lowest note determines the inversion.
| Position | Symbol | Notes, low to high | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root position, current selection | Am | A3–C4–E4 | A3 |
| First inversion | Am/C | C4–E4–A4 | C4 |
| Second inversion | Am/E | E4–A4–C5 | E4 |
These are separate one-hand starting examples for the root-position voicing. Change to an inversion and the finger numbers are intentionally withheld.
Single-hand right-hand example for this root-position voicing. A starting example for a close-position triad. Hand size and musical context may call for another fingering; it is not assigned to the inversions.
Skoove; reviewed by Matthew Dickman, composer and music educator
Supports: A–C–E root position; right hand 1–3–5 and left hand 5–3–1.
Scope: The source specifies chord tones and fingers, but not PianoGrid’s A3–C4–E4 octave placement.
From A to C is a minor third: three semitone steps. From C to E is a major third: four semitone steps. Together, the outer notes A and E form a perfect fifth.
Compare A minor, A–C–E, with A major, A–C♯–E. Only the third changes. A minor uses C natural; A major uses C-sharp. The interval pattern identifies the chord as minor, without needing a mood label.
A major piano chordUse this as a note-finding check. Work with one position at a time before moving to the next.
Select the three pitch classes that make A minor, then check your answer.
This one-octave keyboard checks pitch classes. Order and octave do not affect the result; fingering and live performance are not assessed.
One octave, C through B. Select a key again to remove it.
Download the one-page reference to compare all three positions. It includes the exact pitches and keyboard diagrams shown here, with no finger numbers.
Use Print this position if you only need the current selection.
Yes. Am is a common chord symbol for the A minor triad. You may also see A min or A−.
No. It is still A minor, with C as the lowest note. Its chord tones are still A, C, and E.
No. Am is A–C–E; Am7 adds G. This page covers the three-note Am chord.
No. They identify octaves. The diagrams in this reference do not prescribe fingering.
Chord tones: A–C–E · Formula: 1, ♭3, 5
Dots mark the notes to play. C4 is middle C. Numbers identify octaves, not fingers.