What is A Minor 7?
The A Minor 7 guitar chord is formed by the notes A – C – E – G and is played using the fingering x02010. It’s a minor chord commonly used in Am7-Dm7-G7-Cmaj7.
A Minor 7 Chord Diagram
Standard Position
6th (E) string: Don't play
5th (A) string: Open
4th (D) string: 2th fret
3rd (G) string: Open
2nd (B) string: 1th fret
1st (E) string: Open
How to Play A Minor 7
- Place fingertips close to the fret wire using the diagram x02010.
- Arch fingers so they don’t touch adjacent strings; keep thumb behind the neck.
- Pick each string to check for buzz or mute; adjust pressure and curl.
- Strum slow down-strums; add down–down–up–up–down–up when clean.
Pro Tip: Practice chord changes with a metronome at 70–90 BPM for one-minute rounds.
A Minor 7 Variations
Am7add9
x02000
Adds the 9th for extra color
Am7/C
x32010
First inversion with C in bass
Popular Songs Using A Minor 7
Famous Examples:
- • Stairway to Heaven
- • Tears in Heaven
More Hits:
- • Black
- • Mad World
Common Chord Progressions with A Minor 7
Am7-Dm7-G7-Cmaj7
Classic jazz ii-V-I progression
Fmaj7-Em7-Am7-Dm7
Smooth jazz progression
Am7-F-C-G
A popular progression used in many songs
Practice Tips for A Minor 7
1. Easy Fingering
One of the easiest 7th chords to play - great for beginners
2. Versatile Chord
Works in jazz, pop, rock, and folk contexts
Music Theory Behind A Minor 7
Notes in A Minor 7: A - C - E - G
Scale: A - B - C - D - E - F - G - A
Key Signature: No sharps or flats
Relative Major: Cmaj7
Am7 is a minor 7th chord built on the A minor triad with the added minor 7th (G). It's built from the 6th degree of the C major scale.
Related Chords to Learn
Master A Minor 7 Today!
A Minor 7 is perfect for beginners. Practice daily and you'll have it mastered in no time!