Am/E chord on guitar

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

Am/E guitar chord diagram, open position2E53AR1Cb3EAEACE
Open position · Easy

How to play Am/E

  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. Let the open low E, A and high E strings ring.
  5. Strum from the low E string down.
Lowest note: E (the root)Strings played: 6 of 6Other voicings: 3 below

All 4 ways to play Am/E

Easiest first. Tap play to hear each one.
Am/E guitar chord, open position2E53AR1Cb3EAEACE

Open position

Easy
Am/E guitar chord, open position4Cb32E53AR1Cb3ECEACE

Open position

Easy
Am/E guitar chord, barre at fret 22fr2Cb31E51AR4E54ARECEAEA

Barre at fret 2

Medium
Am/E guitar chord, barre at fret 52fr2Cb31E54Cb34E54ARECECEA

Barre at fret 5

Medium

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/E

More A chords

All A guitar chords

Am/E with another bass note

minor chords in every key

Questions

What notes are in the Am/E chord?

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

How do you play Am/E on guitar?

The easiest Am/E 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/E hard to play on guitar?

No. The easiest version is rated easy and uses 3 fretted notes plus open strings.

What is the difference between Am/E 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/E in?

Am/E 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.