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Guitar chord vocab: A minor variations

Tuition
By Adrian Clark ( Guitarist ) published 4 September 2015

Reinvigorate your minor chords with these expansive modifications

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A minor

A minor

Everybody knows good ol’ A minor, but why not spice it up with a handful of inversions to add some interest? Remember, he who knows chords, knows life…

Page 1 of 4
Page 1 of 4
Am7(6)

Am7(6)

This tight-sounding little Am7 works well for funk.

If the musical context allows, you can move the G down to F#, giving Am6. Why not alternate between the two?

Page 2 of 4
Page 2 of 4
Amadd9

Amadd9

Alternatively, two of the notes in the A minor chord (A and E) can be played as open strings.Add the ninth (B) and you have this chord, as found in the Metallica song Call Of Ktulu.

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Page 3 of 4
Amadd9add11

Amadd9add11

Similar to the last chord, this one has been used by Allan Holdsworth. It has three stacked fifths, giving an open sound.

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Adrian Clark
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