A Minor

Fretboard

About

The A minor triad (A–C–E) lowers the third by a half step, introducing a darker, more inward quality. It functions as the tonic of A minor or as ii in G major. The C is the defining tone — it is what separates minor from major and from any sus chord that omits the third entirely. On guitar, the fifth can be omitted or doubled freely; root and ♭3 together are sufficient to establish the minor sound. Minor chords commonly precede dominants (Am7→D7→GMaj7 as ii–V–I) or move within minor diatonic harmony. Compared to Adim, minor is stable due to its perfect fifth; compared to A, it carries a more subdued, reflective quality.

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