A major chord on guitar
4 ways to play A, with finger positions and sound. Tap a diagram to hear it.
A
Major · A C♯ E (1 3 5)
4 ways to play it
Brown dots are the root note. Tap a diagram to hear it.
How to play A
The most common shape, the first one in the chord finder above:
- Put your index finger on string 4 at fret 2.
- Put your middle finger on string 3 at fret 2.
- Put your ring finger on string 2 at fret 2.
- Let strings 5, 1 ring open.
- Don't play string 6.
- Strum from string 5 down.
Notes in A
A is a major chord made of A, C♯, E. Its formula is 1 3 5: a root, a major third, and a perfect fifth.
- A1
- C♯3
- E5
A in a chord progression
In the key of A major, A is the I chord, home base. This progression, I–V–vi–IV, runs through countless pop songs:
Related chords
Learning a song with A?
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Turn a song into tabA chord FAQ
What notes are in the A chord?
A is made of A, C♯, E. As degrees of the scale: 1 3 5.
How many ways can you play A on guitar?
The chord finder above shows 4 shapes for A, from the open position up the neck. Pick the one closest to the chords before and after it.
What is the difference between A and Am?
A has a major third, C♯. Am lowers it a semitone to C, which gives the minor chord its darker sound. The other notes are the same.