A major chord (A)
A is A, C♯ and E: 1–3–5 built on A. Below: guitar, piano and ukulele, each playable.
On guitar
x-0-2-2-2-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- A · C♯ · E
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5
- First shape
- x-0-2-2-2-0
A on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · A–C♯–E · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- A · C♯ · E
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5
A on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
2-1-0-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- A · C♯ · E
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · 5
- First shape
- 2-1-0-0
Where A usually goes next
Three changes cover most of what A does in songs.
- A → D (IV in A major)
Guitar: A (x-0-2-2-2-0) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): the index finger slides across to the G string at the same fret, your middle finger lands on the high E string, 2nd fret, move the ring finger to the B string, 3rd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Listen for A, which stays put while the rest moves.
Piano: A to D: play D in 2nd inversion (A–D–F♯) and A stays under the same finger, while C♯ moves up to D and E up to F♯. D - A → E (V in A major)
Guitar: A (x-0-2-2-2-0) to E (0-2-2-1-0-0): your index finger lands on the G string, 1st fret, the middle finger goes to the A string, 2nd fret, move the ring finger to the D string, 2nd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Shared note: E.
Piano: A to E: play E in 1st inversion (G♯–B–E) and E stays under the same finger, while A moves down to G♯ and C♯ down to B. E - A → F♯m (vi in A major)
Guitar: A (x-0-2-2-2-0) to F♯m (2-4-4-2-2-2): the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the A string, 4th fret, the ring finger goes to the D string, 4th fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Shared notes: A and C♯.
Piano: A to F♯m: play F♯m in 1st inversion (A–C♯–F♯) and A and C♯ stay under the same fingers, while E moves up to F♯. F♯m
Guitar with a capo: capo 2, G shape; capo 5, E shape; capo 7, D shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 2, G shape; capo 4, F shape; capo 5, E shape; capo 7, D shape.
How A is built
A is a major triad: bright, settled and stable. In the key of A major it is the home chord, the one a song lands on at the end.
Count keys (black and white) from A: 4 half steps up to C♯ then 3 half steps up to E.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | root | 0 | |
| C♯ | major third | 4 | |
| E | perfect fifth | 7 |
Keys and progressions with A
In major keys, A is I in A major, IV in E major and V in D major. In minor keys it is III in F♯ minor, V in D minor (borrowing the raised 7th), VI in C♯ minor and VII in B minor.
In A major, I–V–vi–IV is A – E – F♯m – D. the pop progression
I–IV–V in A major runs A – D – E – A. the three-chord progression
Play I–vi–IV–V in A major and you get A – F♯m – D – E. the 50s progression
F♯m – D – A – E: that's vi–IV–I–V in the key of A major. the minor-feel pop loop
Chords close to A
- A and Am differ by one note: C♯ in A, C in Am. They share A and E. Am
- A and F♯m differ by one note: E in A, F♯ in F♯m. They share A and C♯. F♯m
Chords that share most of their notes with A: F♯m7, A7, Amaj7, Aadd9, A6, A9.
Every A chord
A major chord: questions
What notes are in the A major chord?
A, C♯ and E. A is built 1–3–5 from A: C♯ is the major third and E is the perfect fifth.
How do you play A on guitar?
The usual shape is x-0-2-2-2-0 (open). All 4 guitar shapes.
How do you play A on piano?
Play A, C♯ and E with right-hand fingers 1-3-5. A sits between the last two black keys of the three. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play A on ukulele?
2-1-0-0 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is A in?
In major keys, A is I in A major, IV in E major and V in D major. In minor keys it is III in F♯ minor, V in D minor (borrowing the raised 7th), VI in C♯ minor and VII in B minor.
What's the difference between A and Am?
A and Am differ by one note: C♯ in A, C in Am. They share A and E.
All three instruments are drawn and played from A, C♯ and E by the same engine. Updated September 2026.