A Major: Scale, Chords and Progressions

Chords in the key of A major

The key of A major has 3 sharps in the key signature (F♯, C♯, G♯). Its scale is A – B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G♯ and its seven chords are A, Bm, C♯m, D, E, F♯m and G♯dim. The most common progression is A – E – F♯m – D. Its relative key is F sharp minor. With a capo on fret 2, you can play it with the shapes of G major.

The chords in the key

A is home; D and E create the movement and tension that lead back to it, and F♯m adds the minor colour. The four-note versions add the seventh.

Degree	Chord	Notes	Role	With seventh
I	A	A – C♯ – E	Tonic: home	Amaj7
ii	Bm	B – D – F♯	Subdominant	Bm7
iii	C♯m	C♯ – E – G♯	Tonic substitute	C♯m7
IV	D	D – F♯ – A	Subdominant	Dmaj7
V	E	E – G♯ – B	Dominant: tension	E7
vi	F♯m	F♯ – A – C♯	Relative tonic	F♯m7
vii°	G♯dim	G♯ – B – D	Dominant (leading tone)	—

Scale

A – B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G♯

With a capo

To make a song sound in A major with easy open shapes:

Capo on fret 2: play the shapes of G major
Capo on fret 5: play the shapes of E major
Capo on fret 7: play the shapes of D major

Common progressions

Loop them in the chord player and use them as the base of a song.

A – E – F♯m – D I – V – vi – IV Play in the chord player
A – F♯m – D – E I – vi – IV – V Play in the chord player
Bm7 – E7 – Amaj7 – Amaj7 ii7 – V7 – Imaj7 – Imaj7 Play in the chord player
A – D – E – A I – IV – V – I Play in the chord player

Frequently asked questions

What chords are in the key of A major?

Its seven chords are A, Bm, C♯m, D, E, F♯m and G♯dim.

How many sharps or flats does A major have?

It has 3 sharps in the key signature (F♯, C♯, G♯).

What is the relative key of A major?

Its relative key is F sharp minor: they share the same notes and chords.