A Major Chord

How to play A on guitar

Read the diagrams with the low E string on the left. × means do not play that string, ○ means play it open.

How to play A on piano

Play A, C♯, E together. With your right hand, use fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb on A). Your left hand can play A an octave lower for a fuller sound.

Chords in the key of A major

These seven chords are built from the A major scale (A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯), so they all sound at home next to A.

Common progressions in A major

• I - V - vi - IV: A - E - F♯m - D
• I - IV - V - I: A - D - E - A
• ii - V - I: Bm - E - A
• vi - IV - I - V: F♯m - D - A - E

The relative minor of A major is F♯m. Both keys use the same notes. On the Camelot wheel, A major is 11B.

Related chords

• Am (A minor)
• A7 (A seventh)
• Amaj7 (A major seventh)
• Am7 (A minor seventh)
• Asus4 (A suspended fourth)
• All chords in the library

Change this chord into another key with the Chord Transposer, or look up any other chord or scale in the Chord and Scale Finder.