Notes and intervals of A major
- A1 · root
- C♯3 · major third
- E5 · perfect fifth
It's the basic chord of almost any song: it works as a point of arrival (the tonic) and as a passing chord.
Progressions with A
The basic progression: I – IV – V – I
With these three chords you can play along to hundreds of songs in A major.
The pop progression: I – V – vi – IV
It's the backbone of a huge number of ballads, pop songs and reggaeton hits.
Which keys contain A major?
A belongs to 6 keys: in each one it plays a different role depending on the degree (the Roman numeral).
| Key | Degree |
|---|---|
| D major | V |
| E major | IV |
| A major | I |
| C♯ natural minor | VI |
| F♯ natural minor | III |
| B natural minor | VII |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A major chord?
A major (A) has 3 notes: A (root), C♯ (major third), E (perfect fifth).
How do you play A major on guitar?
The easiest shape is in open position: x 0 2 2 2 0 (from the 6th to the 1st string). Place finger 1 (index) on fret 2 of the 4th string (D). Place finger 2 (middle) on fret 2 of the 3rd string (G). Place finger 3 (ring) on fret 2 of the 2nd string (B). Let the 5th and 1st strings ring open. Do not play the 6th string: strum from the 5th string.
What is the difference between A major and A minor?
Only the third changes: A major uses C♯ and A minor uses C. That note is what makes the chord sound bright (major) or darker (minor).
How do you write A major as a chord symbol?
It is written A; you may also see AM or Amaj. Letter-name chord notation uses C, D, E, F, G, A and B for the notes.