The A Minor 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of A, C, E, and G. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, and minor seventh.
Construction
A Minor 7th = Root + Minor 3rd + Perfect 5th + Minor 7th = A · C · E · G
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A | Root | 1 |
| C | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| E | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| G | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
A Minor 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | A – C – E – G |
| 1st Inversion | C – E – G – A |
| 2nd Inversion | E – G – A – C |
| 3rd Inversion | G – A – C – E |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the A Minor 7th is the tonic (i) chord of A Minor, which shares the signature of its relative major, C Major — no sharps or flats.
Chords in the Key of A Minor
These are the triads built on each degree of the A minor scale:
How A Minor 7th functions in a key
The same chord takes on a different harmonic role depending on the key it appears in. Here is where A Minor 7th sits diatonically across the common keys:
- In C major, A Minor 7th is the vi chord — the tonic.
- In A minor, A Minor 7th is the i chord — the tonic.
- In G major, A Minor 7th is the ii chord — a predominant.
- In E minor, A Minor 7th is the iv chord — a predominant.
- In F major, A Minor 7th is the iii chord — a mediant / color chord.
- In D minor, A Minor 7th is the v chord.
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes A – C – E – G aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
A Minor 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the A Minor 7th chord on piano?
The A Minor 7th chord contains the notes A – C – E – G. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the A Minor 7th chord?
The A Minor 7th chord (Am7) contains four notes: A (root), C (minor third), E (perfect fifth), and G (minor seventh). All white keys — making Am7 one of the easiest and most common minor 7th chords on piano.
How does A Minor 7th differ from A Dominant 7th?
Both have A as root and G as seventh. The difference is the third: Am7 has C (minor third) while A7 has C# (major third). Am7 sounds smooth and melancholy; A7 sounds bright and drives toward D Major.
How is A Minor 7th used in music?
Am7 is the vi chord in C Major and the ii chord in G Major (Am7–D7–Gmaj7). It is one of the most frequently played chords in all of popular music. Am7 appears in pop, rock, jazz, folk, bossa nova, and R&B constantly.
What genres commonly use Minor 7th chords?
Minor 7th chords are essential in jazz, R&B, neo-soul, soul, funk, lo-fi hip-hop, and bossa nova. Am7 specifically crosses into nearly every genre because A minor and C Major are among the most common keys.
What songs use Minor 7th chords?
Am7 is ubiquitous in popular music. Autumn Leaves features Am7 prominently. Norah Jones, John Mayer, and Alicia Keys all use Am7 frequently. It may be the single most played minor 7th chord in recorded music.
What is the ii–V–I progression?
The ii–V–I is the most important jazz progression: Am7 (ii) → D7 (V) → Gmaj7 (I) in G Major. Am7 also starts the vi–ii–V–I turnaround in C Major: Am7–Dm7–G7–Cmaj7.