A chord (A major) on guitar
A (A major) has three notes: A, C sharp and E. Its formula is 1, 3, 5. In major keys, A is the I chord in A major, the IV in E major and the V in D major.
A chord shapes
Fingers: 1 on D, 2 on G, 3 on B.
Fingers: 1 on D, 2 on G, 3 on B, 4 on e.
Finger 1 barres fret 5, then 3 on A, 4 on D, 2 on G.
Fingers: 4 on D, 3 on G, 1 on B, 2 on e.
Fingers: 4 on D, 1 on G, 3 on B, 2 on e.
Fingers: 2 on E, 1 on A, 4 on D, 3 on G.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | A |
|---|---|
| Also written | Amaj, AM |
| Notes | A C# E |
| Formula | 1 3 5 |
| Intervals | root, major third, perfect fifth |
| Type | Major chord |
A across the neck
Guitar · 6-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G, B, e. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 0 E (5), fret 5 A (1), fret 9 C# (3), fret 12 E (5), fret 17 A (1), fret 21 C# (3), fret 24 E (5).
- A string: fret 0 A (1), fret 4 C# (3), fret 7 E (5), fret 12 A (1), fret 16 C# (3), fret 19 E (5), fret 24 A (1).
- D string: fret 2 E (5), fret 7 A (1), fret 11 C# (3), fret 14 E (5), fret 19 A (1), fret 23 C# (3).
- G string: fret 2 A (1), fret 6 C# (3), fret 9 E (5), fret 14 A (1), fret 18 C# (3), fret 21 E (5).
- B string: fret 2 C# (3), fret 5 E (5), fret 10 A (1), fret 14 C# (3), fret 17 E (5), fret 22 A (1).
- e string: fret 0 E (5), fret 5 A (1), fret 9 C# (3), fret 12 E (5), fret 17 A (1), fret 21 C# (3), fret 24 E (5).
Swipe the chart sideways to see all of it.
Questions
What notes are in the A chord?
A (A major) has three notes: A, C sharp and E. Its formula is 1, 3, 5. A is the root, C# is the major third and E is the perfect fifth.
How do you play A on guitar?
The easiest shape is x02220. Fingers: 1 on D, 2 on G, 3 on B.
What key is A in?
In major keys, A is the I chord in A major, the IV in E major and the V in D major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between A and Am?
A has a major 3rd, C#. Am lowers it a half step to C, which is what makes it sound minor. The root and 5th stay the same.