A major chord (A)
The A major chord (A) is a major triad made of A, C♯ and E: root, major third and perfect fifth.
It is the I in A major and the IV in E major; its relative minor is F♯ minor, and E dominant seventh leads into it as its V7.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play A major on guitar
There are 3 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-0-2-2-2-0, open position, with A in the bass (fingers x-0-1-2-3-0).
- Voicing 2: 5-7-7-6-5-5, barre at fret 5, with A in the bass (fingers 1-3-4-2-1-1).
- Voicing 3: x-12-14-14-14-12, movable A-shape barre chord at fret 12, with A in the bass.
Notes of the A major chord on the fretboard
A major has 3 notes: A, C♯ and E. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): E (0) · A (5) · C♯ (9) · E (12)
- String 5 (A): A (0) · C♯ (4) · E (7) · A (12)
- String 4 (D): E (2) · A (7) · C♯ (11)
- String 3 (G): A (2) · C♯ (6) · E (9)
- String 2 (B): C♯ (2) · E (5) · A (10)
- String 1 (E): E (0) · A (5) · C♯ (9) · E (12)
Formula and intervals of A major
Its formula is 1-3-5; in semitones from the root, 0-4-7.
- A: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- C♯: Major third (M3), 4 semitones above A
- E: Perfect fifth (P5), 7 semitones above A
A major on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 2-1-0-0; it sounds A, C♯, E and A.
A major on piano
- Keys: A4, C♯5 and E5.
Inversions of A major
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: A, C♯ and E, with A in the bass.
- First inversion (A/C♯): C♯, E and A, with C♯ in the bass.
- Second inversion (A/E): E, A and C♯, with E in the bass.
Keys that use A major
A major appears in 7 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| A major (3 sharps) | I | Tonic |
| E major (4 sharps) | IV | Subdominant |
| D major (2 sharps) | V | Dominant |
| F♯ minor (3 sharps) | III | Mediant |
| C♯ minor (4 sharps) | VI | Submediant |
| B minor (2 sharps) | VII | Subtonic |
| D minor (harmonic minor, 1 flat) | V | Dominant |
Progressions with A major
- Pop progression in A major (I–V–vi–IV): A – E – F♯m – D
- Pop progression starting on vi in A major (vi–IV–I–V): F♯m – D – A – E
- Three-chord progression in A major (I–IV–V): A – D – E
- Turnaround in A major (I–vi–ii–V): A – F♯m – Bm – E
- Minor pop progression in C♯ minor (i–VI–III–VII): C♯m – A – E – B
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A major chord?
A, C♯ and E: root, major third and perfect fifth. Its formula is 1-3-5.
Which keys use A major?
Mainly as the I in A major and the IV in E major. In total it appears in 7 major and minor keys.
What is the relative minor of A major?
F♯ minor. A major and F♯ minor are the tonic chords of two relative keys, which share the same key signature and the same scale notes.