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Chords in the key of A minor

Same notes and chords as C major, just with Am as home. Here's the twist minor keys pull: the 5 chord is minor on paper (Em), but most songs swap in a major E because it pulls home harder. If a minor-key song suddenly sounds dramatic right before the chorus, that's usually the culprit.

Chord	Number	Roman
Am	1m	i
Bdim	2°	ii°
C	♭3	III
Dm	4m	iv
Em	5m	v
F	♭6	VI
G	♭7	VII

The workhorses are the 1m, 4m, ♭6 and ♭7 (Am, Dm, F, G), plus that borrowed major 5 (E).

Progressions you'll actually run into

• 1m ♭6 ♭3 ♭7 (The big minor-key pop and worship sound): Am · F · C · G
• 1m 4m 5m (Three-chord minor, folk and old ballads): Am · Dm · Em
• 1m ♭7 ♭6 5 (The flamenco walk-down (with a major 5)): Am · G · F · E
• 1m 4m 1m 5 (Minor blues-style changes (major 5)): Am · Dm · Am · E

Those numbers are the Nashville number system, written from the minor home chord.

Playing in A minor on guitar

No capo, Am shapes; capo 5, play Em shapes; capo 7, play Dm shapes.

The capo chart and transpose chart cover the rest. Or see every key.

Not sure if the song is major or minor?

Chartless listens to whatever is playing and shows the key, the chords and the numbers live, minor keys included. How to tell by ear if you'd rather work it out yourself.