Am — the A minor guitar chord
A minor is the E major grip moved over one set of strings, and the mood turns wistful. Pop and folk are full of it. Two things go wrong for beginners: strumming the low E string, which muddies the chord, and the index finger leaning back and silencing the high E.
How to play it
- Index finger on the B string (2nd), 1st fret.
- Middle finger on the D string (4th), 2nd fret.
- Ring finger on the G string (3rd), 2nd fret.
- Let the open A string (5th) and high E string (1st) ring.
- Don't strum the low E string (6th). It stays silent in this shape.
Changes to practice
Holding Am still is the easy part. Songs need you to arrive at it in rhythm, so in Strumhold you practice Am as changes, alongside the rest of the Open Minors set: