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Guitar chords · Major

A chord on guitar

A (A major) has three notes: A, C♯ and E, the , 3 and 5.

Shapes

How to play A

Strum a shape to hear it, or pick it one string at a time. R marks the ; the other numbers are the chord tones.

A has an , and one : the E shape at 5. A movable shape keeps its fingering anywhere on the neck: slide it up or down and the , on the lowest played string, names the chord.

  • Open

    ×5R3AEAC♯E

  • E shape · fret 5

    5frR5R35RAEAC♯EA
Name a shape you're holding: the chord finder

Notes and formula

What makes A major

A major chord stacks a major 3rd and a perfect 5th on the . It is the bright, settled sound most songs start and end on.

  • 1Root: the note the chord is named after. Keep it.
  • 3Essential: makes the chord what it is. Never drop it.
  • 5Optional: drop it first when you run out of fingers.

The 3rd makes A a major chord; you can leave out the 5th.

  1. ARroot
  2. C♯3essential
  3. E5optional
EADGBE0135791215AAAAAAAAEC♯EC♯EEC♯EC♯EC♯EC♯EC♯E
  • A, the root
  • Other chord tones

Keys

Keys with A

A belongs to seven keys: D major (V), A major (I), E major (IV), B minor (VII), F♯ minor (III), C♯ minor (VI) and D minor (V, ).

Numerals follow the key's own scale, so III, VI and VII in a minor key are its own major chords. A ♭ or ♯ in front marks a chord from outside the key. How Roman numerals work

Progressions

Progressions with A

Common progressions that use A, each in a key that spells it A. The outlined chord is A.

  • The pop axis in A major

    I – V – vi – IV

    1. A
    2. E
    3. F♯m
    4. D

    Four chords that carry a huge share of modern pop. All four sit next to each other on the circle.

    Heard in Let It Be, No Woman No Cry, With or Without You

  • Three-chord rock in A major

    I – IV – V – IV

    1. A
    2. D
    3. E
    4. D

    Tonic, subdominant, dominant: the key and its two neighbours on the outer ring.

    Heard in La Bamba, Twist and Shout, Wild Thing

  • '50s doo-wop in A major

    I – vi – IV – V

    1. A
    2. F♯m
    3. D
    4. E

    The vi chord softens the move from I to IV before the V pulls back home.

    Heard in Stand by Me, Every Breath You Take

  • Minor pop in B minor

    i – VI – III – VII

    1. Bm
    2. G
    3. D
    4. A

    The pop axis rotated to start on the relative minor — same four chords, darker centre.

    Heard in Zombie, Numb, Despacito

  • Andalusian cadence in D minor

    i – VII – VI – V

    1. Dm
    2. C
    3. B♭
    4. A

    A stepwise walk down to a major V borrowed from harmonic minor. Flamenco's signature move.

    Heard in Hit the Road Jack, Runaway, Stray Cat Strut

Slash chords

A over another bass note

A keeps A on top and puts another note in the bass: the letter after the slash is the lowest note you play.

  • A/C♯

    A with its 3rd, C♯, in the bass: the first inversion.

  • A/E

    A with its 5th, E, in the bass: the second inversion.

  • A/G♯

    A over G♯, a passing bass a below the , as in A, A/G♯, F♯m.

  • A/G

    A over G, a passing bass a below the , as in A, A/G, D.

Same root

Other chords on A

Change one or two notes and the same gives a different colour. Compare them by ear.

Questions

A, in short

What notes are in the A chord?
A (A major) has three notes: A, C♯ and E, the , 3 and 5.
How do you play A on guitar?
A has an , and one : the E shape at 5.
What key is A in?
A belongs to seven keys: D major (V), A major (I), E major (IV), B minor (VII), F♯ minor (III), C♯ minor (VI) and D minor (V, ).
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