A major chord on ukulele (A)

A is A, C♯ and E. The easiest shape is 2-1-0-0. Hit Play and watch each string light as it sounds.

2-1-0-0 · open · easy

Notes: A · C♯ · E
Formula: 1 · 3 · 5
First shape: 2-1-0-0

How to play A on ukulele

Shape 1, 2-1-0-0, reading from the G string on the left:

Index finger: C string, 1st fret (C♯).
Middle finger: G string, 2nd fret (A).
Let the open E and A strings ring (E and A).

If an open string sounds dead, a fingertip is leaning on it. Come down more on the tips, with your knuckles bent.
Strum with the pad of your index finger or thumb, all four strings, across the spot where the neck meets the body.

Other ways to play A

6-4-5-4: movable shape at the 4th fret, medium. Same notes, stacked differently, so it sounds a little different.
9-9-9-7: movable shape at the 7th fret, medium. Higher up the neck it sounds brighter; handy when another guitar is already playing a lower shape.

A the capo way

With a capo you can skip the harder shapes: capo on the 2nd fret and play the open G shape (0-2-3-2), capo on the 4th fret and play the open F shape (2-0-1-0), capo on the 5th fret and play the open E shape (1-4-0-2) or capo on the 7th fret and play the open D shape (2-2-2-0). Everything above the capo is fingered exactly like the open chord.

Changing from A to the chords around it

Songs rarely hold A for long. Here's what your hand does on the moves that come up most.

D (IV in A major): A (2-1-0-0) to D (2-2-2-0): the index finger goes to the G string, 2nd fret, the middle finger slides across to the C string at the same fret, the ring finger comes down on the E string, 2nd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. The two chords share A, which is why the change sounds smooth. D on ukulele
E (V in A major): A (2-1-0-0) to E (1-4-0-2): the index finger slides across to the G string at the same fret, the middle finger goes to the A string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the C string, 4th fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. Listen for E, which stays put while the rest moves. E on ukulele
F♯m (vi in A major): A (2-1-0-0) to F♯m (2-1-2-0): your index and middle fingers stay put, the ring finger comes down on the E string, 2nd fret. That makes it one of the quickest changes from this chord. Listen for A and C♯, which stay put while the rest moves. F♯m on ukulele

A is a major triad: bright, settled and stable. All 3 notes of A fit on the ukulele's four strings, with one of them doubled. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

A short A drill

Arpeggiate 2-1-0-0 from the lowest string: A, C♯, E, A. Then strum it and listen for the same 4 notes together. Finish by moving between 2-1-0-0 and 6-4-5-4 to learn two positions of the same chord.

Keys and progressions with A

In A major, I–V–vi–IV on ukulele is A (2-1-0-0), E (1-4-0-2), F♯m (2-1-2-0) and D (2-2-2-0). About the pop progression.

In A major, I–IV–V on ukulele is A (2-1-0-0), D (2-2-2-0) and E (1-4-0-2). About the three-chord progression.

In A major, I–vi–IV–V on ukulele is A (2-1-0-0), F♯m (2-1-2-0), D (2-2-2-0) and E (1-4-0-2). About the 50s progression.

A on guitar and piano

Switching instruments? Try A on piano or A on guitar, or compare them on the A chord page.

Close to A

Other major chords

A on ukulele: questions

What notes are in A on ukulele?

A, C♯ and E. In the 2-1-0-0 shape the strings play A (G string), C♯ (C string), E (E string, open) and A (A string, open), so A is doubled.

What's the easiest way to play A on ukulele?

2-1-0-0, the shape at the top of this page. Open strings do part of the work, so no barre.

Is A a barre chord on ukulele?

Not in its common form: 2-1-0-0 needs no barre.

Which string does A start on?

In the 2-1-0-0 shape the lowest string you play is the G string at the 2nd fret, which is A, the root.

Shapes and sound are generated from the notes A, C♯ and E and tested automatically. Updated September 2026.