A major (A) chord on piano

Major triad on A: the notes of the A chord are A – C♯ – E.

Root position: A3 – C♯4 – E4

What the A chord sounds like

A major triad sounds stable and bright: root, major third and perfect fifth. Most songs are built on major chords – in a major key, chords I, IV and V are all major.

Notes of the A chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	A	root
3	C♯	major third (4 semitones)
5	E	perfect fifth (7 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

A3 – C♯4 – E4

1st inversion

C♯4 – E4 – A4

2nd inversion

E4 – A4 – C♯5

Which keys is it in?

The A chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

A major: I (tonic)
D major: V (dominant)
E major: IV (subdominant)
D minor: V (dominant)
B minor: VII
F♯ minor: III
C♯ minor: VI

Similar chords and substitutes

If A is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

F♯m – relative minor: two shared notes, a common stand-in for the tonic
C♯m – mediant minor (iii): two shared notes
Amaj7 – a softer, jazzier tonic colour
Asus4 – suspended version that resolves back to this chord

Richer versions

A7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Amaj7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
A6 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
Aadd9 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A chord?

A, C♯, E. The root is A; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major third, perfect fifth.

How do I play the A chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the A chord written?

The chord symbol is A, and its full name is A major.