Chords in the Key of A Major
The key of A major contains seven diatonic chords built from the notes A, B, C#, D, E, F#, and G#. With three sharps (F#, C#, G#), A major is bright and energetic — perfect for rock and pop. The open A, D, and E chords form one of the most powerful I-IV-V combinations on guitar.
The 7 Triads in A Major
When you harmonize the A major scale in thirds, you get these seven triads. Each chord is built by stacking every other note from the scale:
| Degree | Roman Numeral | Chord | Notes | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | I | A major | A – C# – E | Major |
| 2nd | ii | B minor | B – D – F# | Minor |
| 3rd | iii | C# minor | C# – E – G# | Minor |
| 4th | IV | D major | D – F# – A | Major |
| 5th | V | E major | E – G# – B | Major |
| 6th | vi | F# minor | F# – A – C# | Minor |
| 7th | vii° | G# diminished | G# – B – D | Diminished |
Notice the pattern: Major – minor – minor – Major – Major – minor – diminished. This pattern is the same for every major key — only the root notes change. You can explore this pattern for any key using the A major scale harmonizer.
Seventh Chords in A Major
Adding a fourth note (the seventh) to each triad creates richer, more colorful chords. These are essential for jazz, R&B, neo-soul, and modern pop:
| Degree | Chord | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Amaj7 | A – C# – E – G# | Major 7th |
| ii | Bm7 | B – D – F# – A | Minor 7th |
| iii | C#m7 | C# – E – G# – B | Minor 7th |
| IV | Dmaj7 | D – F# – A – C# | Major 7th |
| V | E7 | E – G# – B – D | Dominant 7th |
| vi | F#m7 | F# – A – C# – E | Minor 7th |
| vii | G#m7b5 | G# – B – D – F# | Half-diminished |
Common Chord Progressions in A Major
These are the most popular progressions composers use in A major. You can hear and explore all of them in our chord progressions library:
I – V – vi – IV (A – E – F#m – D)
The most used progression in pop music, transposed to A major. "Brown Eyed Girl" (Van Morrison) captures the bright, energetic character of this key. The open A and E chords provide a strong, full sound while F#m adds an emotional minor color.
I – IV – V (A – D – E)
The foundation of blues, rock, and country music. In A major, all three chords are comfortable open shapes with a punchy, driving quality. "Twist and Shout" (The Beatles) is a perfect example of how powerful this simple combination can be.
vi – IV – I – V (F#m – D – A – E)
Starting on the vi chord gives a minor-key flavor while staying in A major. The F#m barre chord adds a touch of tension that resolves beautifully through D and A back to E, creating a compelling emotional journey.
The A Major Scale on Guitar
All of these chords are derived from the A major scale. Understanding the scale helps you see why certain chords belong together and how to solo over them. Explore the full fretboard diagram:
- A Major scale — interactive fretboard diagram
- A Major harmonizer — all triads and 7th chords
- A Major arpeggio — fretboard positions
Tips for Composing in A Major
- Start with A, D, and E — these three open chords form the I-IV-V backbone and deliver a punchy, energetic sound that defines classic rock and pop.
- Use the relative minor — F# minor shares the same notes as A major. Switching between A and F#m sections creates contrast without leaving the key.
- Add seventh chords to create sophistication. Replacing A with Amaj7 or F#m with F#m7 instantly adds a jazzy or dreamy quality.
- Leverage the open A string — it serves as a bass drone that reinforces the tonic, giving A major compositions a grounded, powerful feel.
- Explore arpeggios for melodic ideas. Playing the notes of each chord individually is a powerful way to create melodies that follow the harmony.
Ready to explore more keys? The same chord-building principles apply to every major scale. Use the scale harmonizer to discover the chords in any key.