The A# minor guitar chord may not be a popular choice, but it adds a somber touch to any song. A#m is enharmonic with Bbm, and it is a minor triad with three notes: the root A#, minor third C#, and perfect fifth E# (or F).
How to Play A Sharp Minor on Guitar
You can play A#m as a barre chord or with open positioning. It even has a few three-finger variations.
Em-Shape
You can play A# minor in the shape of an Em chord. It requires only three fingers, and you can strum every string.
- Index finger: barre it over every string, 6th fret
- Ring finger: place it on the 5th (A) string at the 8th fret
- Pinky finger: set it on the 4th (D) string at the 8th fret
Similar chord: D#m (D sharp minor)
Am-Shape
The other barre chord technique uses the Am chord shape. You strum down from the 5th (A) string and use all four of your fretting fingers.
- Index finger: barre it from the 1st (E) to 5th (A) strings at the 1st fret
- Middle finger: put it on the 2nd (B) string at the 2nd fret
- Ring finger: place it on the 4th (D) string at the 3rd fret
- Pinky finger: set it on the 3rd (G) string at the 3rd fret
Similar Am shape chord: Try B flat minor
A Sharp Minor Without Barre
For a version between the open position and barre chords, you can try this A#m/F voicing. If you feel confident with easy alternatives, you can try this option before practicing the barre chords. Make sure to strum from the 4th (D) string down, muting the 5th (A) and 6th (low E) strings.
- Index finger: press the 1st (E) string at the 1st fret
- Middle finger: put it on the 2nd (B) string at the 2nd fret
- Ring finger: set it on the 4th (D) string at the 3rd fret
- Pinky finger: place it on the 3rd (G) string at the 3rd fret
Similar chord: Ab minor on guitar
Easier A# Minor
Another A#m/F voicing uses three fingers. If you know how to play A minor, you can shift it to the 3rd fret. You strum the middle three strings, avoiding the 1st (E), 5th (A), and 6th (low E).
- Middle finger: set it on the 2nd (B) string at the 2nd fret
- Ring finger: press the 4th (D) string at the 3rd fret
- Pinky finger: place it on the 3rd (G) string at the 3rd fret
The Easiest A# Minor
For absolute beginners, you can try this three-finger variation. You start strumming from the 3rd (G) string.
- Index finger: place it on the 1st (E) string at the 1st fret
- Middle finger: set it on the 2nd (B) string at the 2nd fret
- Ring finger: put it on the 3rd (G) string at the 3rd fret
Songs Using A Sharp Minor On Guitar
Here are some popular songs that use A#m.
- “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2
- “Umbrella” by Rihanna
- “Queen of Peace” by Florence + The Machine
- “Fade to Black” by Metallica
- “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran
Practice each of these ways to play the A# minor guitar chord so that you can incorporate it into your performances, no matter your skill level.
Try next:
Dbm (D flat minor guitar chord)
D# major (D sharp major on guitar)
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