Am7 Guitar Chord
A Minor 7th · A–C–E–G
Am7 is the A minor 7th chord: A–C–E–G. Its sound is mellow and soulful — softer than a plain minor chord, at home in funk, R&B, and jazz ii–V–I progressions.
Am7 softens the A minor triad with a ♭7 (G). It's the standard ii chord in G major — the first chord of the ii–V–I, jazz's most important progression — and a staple of funk vamps and R&B ballads.
The easiest way to play Am7 is the open-position shape (x 0 2 0 1 0, low E string to high E string), which uses open strings and stays in the first few frets. Below you'll find 6 ways to play it across the neck, from open position to barre and shell voicings, with the theory behind the chord and the progressions it lives in.
How to Play Am7: 6 Voicings
Frets are listed from the low E string to the high E string. x = don't play that string, 0 = open string.
Am7 Chord Theory
| Interval | R | ♭3 | 5 | ♭7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | A | C | E | G |
Am7 is built from the A minor scale.
Am7 Chord FAQ
What notes are in the Am7 chord?
Am7 contains 4 notes: A (R), C (♭3), E (5), G (♭7). The interval formula for a minor 7th chord is R–♭3–5–♭7.
What is the easiest way to play Am7 on guitar?
Use the open-position shape: x 0 2 0 1 0 (frets listed from the low E string to the high E string, x = don't play that string). It uses open strings, so it needs the least finger strength.
Is Am7 a major or minor chord?
Am7 is built on a minor triad (A–C–E) with the ♭7 added, so it behaves as a minor-family chord.
What keys use the Am7 chord?
Am7 appears diatonically in C major (as vi), G major (as ii), and F major (as iii) — plus it's the home chord (i) of A minor.
Related Chords
Hear yourself play Am7
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