A minor piano chord

How to play Am on piano

First, find A, the root of this chord. Then add C, the minor third. Add E to complete the triad.

Play the notes together to hear the harmony, or one at a time to hear how the intervals form the chord. Start at a comfortable octave; the diagram shows one reference voicing, not the only valid place to play it.

What makes Am distinctive?

A minor, A–C–E, shares the all-white-key simplicity of C major but has a minor third between A and C.

How does Am compare with a related chord?

A minor and C major share C and E, so you can compare their different bass and upper notes without moving every finger.

A practice exercise for Am

Play A–C–E, then C–E–G, keeping C and E in common. Try reversing the transition without stopping.

One mistake to avoid

A minor chord is not A major. Raising C to C♯ produces a different triad.

Finger numbers depend on your hand size, octave and musical context; there isn't one universally correct fingering for every voicing.