Commonly Used “A” Open Chords

The A Chord

We’ve already seen the A chord twice in previous lessons, but let’s recap:

Here’s how the A chord is formed:

1. The A string will be played open
2. Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd of the D string
3. Place your 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the G string
4. Place your 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the B string
5. Leave the high E string open
6. You’ll strum 5 strings- that is every string except for the low E string.

A

The A Minor Chord

The A minor chord is labeled as Am. It is formed as such:

• Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the D string
• Place your 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the G string
• Place your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the B string
• Play the A string and high E string open
• Skip the low E when strumming

The A Seventh Chord

The A seventh chord is labeled as A7. This is how it’s formed:

• Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the D string
• Leave the G string open
• Place your 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the B string
• You’ll also play the A and high E open
• Again, strum every string except the low E

The A Minor Seventh

The A minor seventh is labeled as Am7. Here’s how it’s formed:

• Place your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the D string
• Leave the G string open
• Place your 1st finger on the 1st fret of the B string
• Strum all strings except the low E