How to Play Am7 Chord

Being a guitarist, you've likely used an Am7 chord before. However, are you aware of its type of sound and how to play it? The Am7 chord is a well-liked minor key chord that may be performed in various guitar styles.  

This article will examine all the various Am7 chord forms, voicings, and finger placements available. You'll discover how to play it and the importance of this chord type for guitarists. 

Understanding the Am7 Chord on Guitar 

The AM7 chord is a minor key chord created by playing the first, third, and fifth notes of the A major scale and adding a flattened seventh note. This makes it similar to an A minor chord but with an added seventh note. The structure of an Am7 guitar chord is 1 - b3 - 5 - b7. 

Unlike other chords, such as major or minor 7th chords, the Am7 has a unique sound that can be used to create more interesting progressions or passages in your music. It has a slightly darker sound than its counterparts because of the added flat 7th note, which gives it more depth.  

Additionally, because it contains both a minor 3rd and a flattened 7th, the Am7 chord can create different progressions or riffs that may not be possible with other chords. 

Alternative Ways to Play Am7 Chord 

Depending on the sound you're looking for, a few different ways to play the AM7 chord on the guitar exist.  

The simplest way to play an Am7 chord is by using an am7 barre chord shape. This version requires that you use your first finger to hold down all six strings at the fifth fret.  

For this variation, your descending fingers should be in order from 1-2-3 (first – second – third). If you find this too difficult, you can also try playing it as an open chord with the same root and minor 3rd notes but without the fifth or flat 7th note. 

Another way to play an Am7 chord is with a "drop 2" voicing. With this version, you use your first finger to hold down the root note at the fifth fret on the sixth string and then "drop" your second finger (on the fourth string) two frets lower than your first finger.  

You would then add the minor 3rd at the seventh fret on the third string and finish with a flattened 7th at the ninth fret on the second string. This voicing makes it easier to move between chords and creates interesting riffs or progressions. 

How to Play Am7 on Guitar? Finger Positioning 

Playing the Am7 chord on guitar is a great way to add diversity and color to your music. Practicing proper finger positioning for this chord is important to get the best sound possible. 

Beginners should start by placing their first finger at the fifth fret on the sixth string and then adding their second finger two frets lower on the fourth string. The third finger should go on the seventh fret of the third string, and finally, the fourth finger should be placed at the ninth fret of the second string.  

For more advanced players, you can try using a barre version or "drop 2" voicing of the Am7 chord for a fuller, richer sound. 

At Zager Guitar, we make learning and playing chords easier with our Easy Play guitars. You can easily switch between chords and progressions using our large selection of simple-to-play acoustic guitars! Whether you're a novice or a seasoned musician, our Easy Play guitars are the ideal approach to advance your playing.  

Incorporating and Practicing the Am7 Chord 

Once you've mastered the finger placement for the Am7 chord, the next step is to incorporate it into your playing style. You can start by practicing different progressions and riffs with the Am7 chord.  

Try using an open chord version or a "double-stop" voicing for a unique sound. As you get more comfortable with the chord, you can explore other guitar voicings to add texture and depth to your music. Additionally, try experimenting with different strumming patterns as you play this chord to create different musical moods or tones. 

Practicing scales and melodies that use the Am7 chord will also help build up your muscle memory when transitioning between chords, which allows for smoother transitions and better overall sound.  

You can also use the Am7 chord in different genres of music to create interesting sounds. With enough practice, you'll find that incorporating this chord into your playing style will become second nature. 

What Songs use the Am7 Guitar Chord? 

The Am7 chord can be found in many different styles of music, from blues to pop. Some classic songs that use this chord include: 

• Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" 
• Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice It's Alright" 
• The Beatles' "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" 

In the blues genre, the Am7 chord is used in songs like: 

• B.B King's "The Thrill Is Gone" 
• Muddy Waters's "Got My Mojo Workin'." 

Additionally, the Am7 guitar chord is featured in popular songs such as: 

• Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" 
• Coldplay's "Viva La Vida"
• Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" 

With its versatility and unique sound, the Am7 chord is an important part of any guitar player's repertoire.  

Learning the Am7 with Zager Guitars 

The Am7 guitar chord is a great addition to any guitarist's repertoire. Its minor third, perfect fifth and major seventh intervals add interesting depth and texture to your playing. Our Easy Play guitars have a uniquely crafted neck shape that simplifies things by easing the pressure on your hands when playing chords like the Am7. 

At Zager Guitar, we provide simple-to-play acoustic guitars and a sizable lesson library full of valuable guides for learning this chord. All levels of players can benefit from our training to improve their abilities and advance their game. Therefore, check out our lesson library immediately to learn more about guitar chords or to add a new cord to your repertoire.