Piano chords · Minor 7th chord
Am7 piano chord (A minor seventh)
Am7 is a minor seventh chord with 4 notes. It sounds mellow and smooth. Here's how to find it, play it and hear it.
A – C – E – G · tap any key to hear it
The notes of Am7
Am7 is built from 4 notes (1 – ♭3 – 5 – ♭7):
- A, the root
- C, the minor third
- E, the fifth
- G, the minor seventh
Every note is a white key, which makes Am7 an easy chord to find and play.
Fingering
- Right hand: 1 on A, 2 on C, 3 on E, 5 on G.
- Left hand: 5 on A, 3 on C, 2 on E, 1 on G.
Press every key at exactly the same moment, with the same weight. If one note sounds louder or a fraction late, the chord sounds uneven: play it slowly and listen for one sound.
Inversions
An inversion is the same notes in a different order, with a different note at the bottom. Inversions let you move between chords without jumping around the keyboard.
| Position | Notes, bottom to top |
|---|---|
| Root position | A – C – E – G |
| 1st inversion | C – E – G – A |
| 2nd inversion | E – G – A – C |
| 3rd inversion | G – A – C – E |
Where Am7 belongs
Am7 is the ii7 chord in G major, the iii7 chord in F major and the vi7 chord in C major.
Am7 is Am with a minor seventh, G, added on top, which softens it from sad to smooth.
Hear it in a progression
Am7 – D7 – Gmaj7: ii – V – I in G major, the backbone of jazz.
Playing it, but it doesn't sound right? Ivory listens to you play and tells you what's off: a note that's missing, a hand that lands late, a chord that's uneven. Then it shows you how it should go.
Questions people ask
What notes are in the Am7 chord?
Am7 (A minor seventh) is made of A, C, E and G: the root, minor third, fifth and minor seventh.
How do you play Am7 on piano?
With your right hand, use fingers 1 on A, 2 on C, 3 on E, 5 on G, and press them together. With your left hand: 5 on A, 3 on C, 2 on E, 1 on G.
How is Am7 different from the plain chord?
Am7 is Am with a minor seventh, G, added on top, which softens it from sad to smooth.