Am/C chord on guitar

A Minor Over C. Notes: A, C and E.

Am/C guitar chord diagram, open position×4Cb32E53AR1Cb3CEACE
Open position · Easy

How to play Am/C

  1. Put your index finger on the 2nd (B) string at fret 1 (C).
  2. Put your middle finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 2 (E).
  3. Put your ring finger on the 3rd (G) string at fret 2 (A).
  4. Put your pinky finger on the 5th (A) string at fret 3 (C).
  5. Let the open high E string ring.
  6. Don't play the low E string: skip it or mute it with a fretting finger.
  7. Strum from the A string down.
Lowest note: C (the root)Strings played: 5 of 6Other voicings: 3 below

All 4 ways to play Am/C

Easiest first. Tap play to hear each one.
Am/C guitar chord, open position×4Cb32E53AR1Cb3CEACE

Open position

Easy
Am/C guitar chord, barre at fret 22fr×2Cb31E51AR4E54ARCEAEA

Barre at fret 2

Medium
Am/C guitar chord, barre at fret 52fr×2Cb31E54Cb34E54ARCECEA

Barre at fret 5

Medium
Am/C guitar chord, barre at fret 55fr4Cb32E53AR1Cb31E51ARCEACEA

Barre at fret 5

Hard

Notes and theory

Aroot
Cb3 · minor third
E5 · perfect fifth

The minor triad swaps the major third for a minor third, which gives it a darker, sadder color. The formula is 1 b3 5, and you will also see it written as Amin and A-.

Keys that use Am/C

More A chords

All A guitar chords

Am/C with another bass note

minor chords in every key

Questions

What notes are in the Am/C chord?

Am/C (A minor over C) is made of three notes: A (root), C (minor third) and E (perfect fifth). The slash means C is played as the lowest note.

How do you play Am/C on guitar?

The easiest Am/C is the "open position" shape. Put your index finger on the 2nd (B) string at fret 1 (C). Put your middle finger on the 4th (D) string at fret 2 (E). Put your ring finger on the 3rd (G) string at fret 2 (A).

Is Am/C hard to play on guitar?

No. The easiest version is rated easy and uses 4 fretted notes plus open strings.

What is the difference between Am/C and A?

Only the third changes. A major uses a major third and sounds bright; A minor lowers that note by a half step, which makes it sound darker. The root and the fifth stay the same.

What key is Am/C in?

Am/C belongs to 6 keys: C major (as the vi chord), F major (as the iii chord), G major (as the ii chord), D minor (as the v chord), E minor (as the iv chord) and A minor (as the i chord).

What does a minor chord sound like?

The minor triad swaps the major third for a minor third, which gives it a darker, sadder color.