The Key of A major
A major is A – B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G♯.
Why this key
A major sits under the hand: A, D and E are the first three chords most people learn, and the open A string is the root. It is the default key of blues and early rock for that reason. Its three sharps look busier on paper than they feel to play.
Every chord in A major
Seven chords, built on each note of the scale in turn.
| Numeral | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| I | A | major |
| ii | Bm | minor |
| iii | C#m | minor |
| IV | D | major |
| V | E | major |
| vi | F#m | minor |
| vii° | G#dim | dim |
The scale, on the neck
A major — A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯.
A Major (Ionian)
the plain major scaleNotesABC♯DEF♯G♯
Chord-Scale Reference §2 / §7.5
Want more?
Hear these chords, change the key, and see every voicing in Turnaround