[Hélène Déramond]

having really hard time playing Am7.  Is it ok to not use the fourth finger on the high E string and play an open high E chord?

[Jonathan]

Hey Helene, yes that is totally fine.
The Am7 with the pinky down is a way to help with transitions, as it creates one less finger to move to and from the Am7. But if transitioning is less of a problem than the actual chord, then you can scratch the pinky and play the Am7 with an open high e.

You never fail until you quit!