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A major chord on guitar

A major is A, C♯ and E. The easiest way to play it is the open A chord, written x02220. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret. Let the 5th and 1st strings ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

A

A major · A C♯ E · 1 3 5

  • Open position

    Open chord

    123AEAC♯E

    x02220

  • 5th fret

    Barre chord, root on the 6th string

    5fr134211AEAC♯EA

    577655

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are A, the root.

How to play A major

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Open chord · Open position

    x02220
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret.
    • Let the 5th and 1st strings ring open.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Barre chord, root on the 6th string · 5th fret

    577655
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across all six strings at the 5th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 6th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 7th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 4th string, 7th fret.

Notes in the A major chord

A major is A, C♯ and E, and it sounds bright and settled, the sound of home in a major key. From A, count 4 half steps up to C♯ and 3 more to E. Its formula is 1 3 5. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with A lowest. See its inversions and keys on the A major piano chord page.

Chords that often come after A

Dxx0232A to D is I to IV, the lift in countless pop, folk and gospel songs.E022100A to E is I to V, the chord that pulls back to A.F♯mxx4222A to F♯m is I to vi, the turn to the sad side of the key.

More guitar chords

Other chords on A

AmA7Amaj7Am7Asus2Asus4Aadd9A9A6AdimAm7♭5Adim7Aaug

Major chords on other notes

CD♭DE♭EFF♯GA♭B♭B

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play A major on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open A chord, written x02220. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 2nd fret. Let the 5th and 1st strings ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the A major chord?

A major is A, C♯ and E. In the shape written x02220, the 5th to 1st strings play A, E, A, C♯ and E.

Is A a barre chord?

It doesn't have to be: x02220 needs no barre. The barre shape (577655) plays it higher up the neck and moves to any root.

How many ways can you play A on guitar?

This page shows two: x02220 (open position) and 577655 (5th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

What is the difference between A and Am on guitar?

One note, the third. A major is A C♯ E and A minor is A C E: C is a half step below C♯. In the barre shapes, that is one string's note moving down a fret.

Can I make a beat with A major?

Yes. “Make a beat with this chord” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in A major on A E F♯m D, starting on A. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat with A major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in A major on A E F♯m D, starting on A. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat with this chordAll guitar chords

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