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Circle of fifths

Key of A major

Key signature: 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯). Scale: A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯. Chords: A, Bm, C♯m, D, E, F♯m, G♯dim.

Chords in A major

Each scale degree has a triad and a four-note seventh chord. Tap a chord for the guitar shape.

IAAmaj7iiBmBm7iiiC♯mC♯m7IVDDmaj7VEE7viF♯mF♯m7vii°G♯dimG♯m7b5

Capo tip: on guitar, put a capo on fret 2 and play the shapes of G major – then 4 of the main chords are easy open shapes (3 without a capo).

The A major scale

AIBiiC♯iiiDIVEVF♯viG♯vii°
A major scale on pianoDEABDEABC♯F♯G♯C♯F♯G♯
A major scale on the guitar fretboardEF♯G♯ABC♯DEABC♯DEF♯G♯ADEF♯G♯ABC♯DG♯ABC♯DEF♯BC♯DEF♯G♯ABEF♯G♯ABC♯DE357912

Full scale page and other scales from this note →

Related keys

Relative minorF♯ minorsame key signatureParallel minorA minorsame tonicA fifth upE majorone more sharpA fifth downD majorone more flat

Common progressions in A major

ProgressionChordsGenerator
Pop progression (Axis)A – E – F♯m – DOpen in generator
Sensitive pop (vi–IV–I–V)F♯m – D – A – EOpen in generator
’50s progression (doo-wop)A – F♯m – D – EOpen in generator
Royal road (J-pop)Dmaj7 – E7 – C♯m7 – F♯m7Open in generator
Canon progressionA – E – F♯m – C♯m – D – A – D – EOpen in generator
Circle-of-fifths progressionA – D – G♯dim – C♯m – F♯m – Bm – E – AOpen in generator
Authentic cadence (I–IV–V–I)A – D – E – AOpen in generator
Folk and countryA – A – D – A – A – D – E – AOpen in generator
ii–V–I (jazz)Bm7 – E7 – Amaj7 – Amaj7Open in generator
Turnaround (I–vi–ii–V)Amaj7 – F♯m7 – Bm7 – E7Open in generator
12-bar bluesA7 – A7 – A7 – A7 – D7 – D7 – A7 – A7 – E7 – D7 – A7 – E7Open in generator
12-bar blues, quick changeA7 – D7 – A7 – A7 – D7 – D7 – A7 – A7 – E7 – D7 – A7 – E7Open in generator
Three-chord punkA5 – A5 – D5 – E5Open in generator
Mixolydian rock (I–♭VII–IV)A – G – D – AOpen in generator
♭VI–♭VII–I (victory cadence)A – F – G – AOpen in generator
Major-to-minor IV (I–iii–IV–iv)A – C♯m – D – DmOpen in generator

Major keys

Minor keys

Frequently asked questions

How many sharps or flats are in A major?

A major has 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯). Its relative minor is F♯ minor, with the same key signature.

What chords are in the key of A major?

The triads built on the scale degrees: A, Bm, C♯m, D, E, F♯m, G♯dim. The main chords used most often: A, D, E, F♯m.

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Photos: Isak Photography, 42 North, Rachel Loughman, Vitaly Gariev, Vitaly Gariev, Isaac Martin / Unsplash