A Minor Chord

Am Level 1: The Campfire

A Minor (Am) is built from the notes A, C, E. Its intervals are Root — Minor 3rd — Perfect 5th. Darker, more introspective, and emotionally complex. The minor triad pulls the brightness of major downward by a single semitone in the third, changing the entire mood.

Hear A Minor Chord

Piano sample · tap to play

Notes and intervals

Interval Semitones Note
Root 0 A
Minor 3rd 3 C
Perfect 5th 7 E

What does a minor chord sound like?

Darker, more introspective, and emotionally complex. The minor triad pulls the brightness of major downward by a single semitone in the third, changing the entire mood.

A Minor Chord in music

The relative minor of C major, making it the most natural minor key on piano (no sharps or flats). "Stairway to Heaven" uses Am, as do countless pop and rock songs.

How to recognise a minor chord by ear

Compare it directly to major. The third is lower — it feels like a shadow falling across the chord. Don't just think "sad" — think "deeper." The fifth is the same as major, so focus on the third.

Practice identifying this chord in ChordFrog's Level 1: The Campfire .

Practice tip

A minor is the relative minor of C major — same notes, different home base. Play C major then A minor. They share all their notes but feel completely different. This comparison is foundational: understanding relative major/minor relationships unlocks harmonic analysis.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in a A Minor chord?
A Minor (Am) contains three notes: A, C, E. The intervals are Root, Minor 3rd, Perfect 5th.
How do I recognise A Minor by ear?
Compare it directly to major. The third is lower — it feels like a shadow falling across the chord. Don't just think "sad" — think "deeper." The fifth is the same as major, so focus on the third. Practice identifying A Minor in ChordFrog's Level 1 (The Campfire).
What level is A Minor in ChordFrog?
A Minor is introduced at Level 1: The Campfire. This is the starting level with white-key major triads.

Other A chords

A Major Chord A Diminished Chord A Augmented Chord A Sus2 Chord A Sus4 Chord

All Minor Chords chords

C Minor Chord D♭ Minor Chord D Minor Chord E♭ Minor Chord E Minor Chord F Minor Chord F♯ Minor Chord G Minor Chord A♭ Minor Chord B♭ Minor Chord B Minor Chord

Hear a minor chord for yourself

Train your ear to recognise this chord instantly with ChordFrog's progressive levels.

Coming soon

Requires iOS 16 or later.