The Am ukulele chord is one of the top 4 beginner chords to learn, and fortunately, is also one of the easiest. Find out why, including how to play its different variations, in our guide below.
Written by Jay Searle / Published October 2, 2022
Last updated: May 2, 2024
Chord diagrams for the Am ukulele chord with suggested fingerings and variations are shown below:
The Am ukulele chord is a chord that you will use all the time. That minor sound is going to be critical if you really want to play those soulful tunes. Fortunately, the Am ukulele chord is beginner friendly, and you should be off and away in no time.
So, let’s have a bit of a closer look at what makes up the A minor chord, where it comes from, and how to play it.
MORE CHORDS: Learn how to play more ukulele chords here.
What Notes Are in the Am Ukulele Chord?
The A minor chord is made up of three notes, namely A, C and E. These notes are taken from the A minor scale. They are the root, flat third and fifth notes of the scale and together they make up the minor triad. Dropping that third a half step from the major triad is what makes minor chords sound “sad”, the characteristic note so to speak.
This set of notes can be combined in a number of ways on the ukulele, each of which has a slightly different personality.
How Do You Play the Am Ukulele Chord?
There are several different ways to play the A minor chord. We will have a look at the chord in the open position, which means that you make use of open strings that are not necessarily pressed down on the fretboard. Then we can have a look at alternate fingerings for the chord.
A Minor Chord on Ukulele in Open Position
Remember that the Ukulele is tuned G (4th string), C (3rd string), E (2nd string) and A (1st string). The following diagram show us how to play the A minor chord on ukulele in the open position.
Next, we’ll look at playing the A minor chord in different positions of the ukulele. As we move up the fretboard, the order in which we play the notes will change, giving the chord a slightly different sound depending on which note is in the bass. It’s important to note that we are still playing the same notes – that is A, C, and E – just in different orders on the strings.
We’ll show you a few different variations for playing A minor, but this list is not at all exhaustive. Once you know your way around the fretboard, it’s possible to come up with your own shapes and fingerings for any chord!
Am Ukulele Chord: 1st Variation
You can also play the A minor chord using the same shape as the G minor ukulele chord – 1st variation, only transposed further up the fretboard. In this version of the Amin chord, we start at the 3rd fret, using all 4 fingers. This chord shape can be a little tricky to start with but it’s important to experiment with different shapes to help you to feel more comfortable with the instrument.
Use your index finger on the 1st string on the 3rd fret, followed by placing your middle finger on the 4th fret on the 3rd string. Your ring finger is placed on the 5th fret on the 4th string, with your pinky on the 2nd string, 5th fret. The notes viewed from top to bottom are C, E, A, C.
Am Ukulele Chord: 2nd Variation
The second way to play an A minor chord starts at the 7th fret. At the 7th fret, we will use our index finger to play the E on the 1st string. Our second finger plays the C on the 2nd string at the 8th fret. Use your ring finger to play the E on fret 9 on the 4th string, with your pinky playing the A on the 3rd string. From top to bottom we have, E, A, C, E.
Am Ukulele Chord: 3rd Variation
The third way to play the A minor chord moves us even further up the neck, all the way up to the 12th fret. At the 12th fret, we will barre the chord, playing C, E and A. We add another A at the 14th fret to complete the chord. This gives us the C, and E of the A minor triad, with root note A sounded across two octaves.
You may have noticed that this is in fact the open string version of the Am chord played up an octave. Since we are now on the 12th fret, the open notes must be played using your index finger by barring the C, E and A strings.
The A minor can be a bit to wrap your head around. Luckily for us, Ukulele Tricks has a really great video right here that will show the many ways the A minor can be played, and how to use it.
How to Play the Am Chord on a Baritone Ukulele
Baritone players, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. The baritone is tuned d-G-B-E. That means that in order to play the A minor chord (A–C–E) you won’t be able to use the chord diagrams we have shown you so far.
Have as look at the diagram below to see how to play the A minor in open position on the baritone ukulele.
Bernadette Teaches Music’s video “How to play A minor chord on Baritone Uke” does a great breakdown of this chord for all the baritone players out there.
What Songs Use the Am Ukulele Chord?
That minor chord sound is really iconic, isn’t it? Minor chords have served as the soundtracks to our heartbreaks and disappointments, for as far back as humans were a thing.
So it makes sense to learn the chord within context. It is important to see how the chord works in a chord progression and how that works in a composition.
To get an idea of how minor chord progressions work, check out this great video from Marco Cirillo Ukulele that goes through a whole bunch of minor chord progressions to get your creativity flowing.
Some of the great songs that you can learn that make use of that Amin include Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. This is arguably one of the most well-known love songs. To start learning this classic check out Bernadette’s video lesson below.
Conclusion
Now that you are armed with yet another ukulele chord, it’s time to start practicing! Check out some of our other chord lessons on the website to further enhance your playing ability. You’ll be surprised at how many songs use Am ukulele chord out there, so have fun!
Jay Searle
Website Founder & WriterJay is a self-professed music nerd and ukulele lover. When not working on the website you’ll find him strumming along to his favorite tunes, spending time with his family, or learning to play the piano.
