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Scales

A major scale

The A major scale notes: A – B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G♯. Whole–whole–half–whole–whole–whole–half. The basis of most children's songs, folk tunes and pop melodies.

Notes and steps

A1B2C♯3D4E5F♯6G♯7

Steps: W – W – H – W – W – W – H · W = whole step, H = half step

A major scale on guitar

Standard tuning, frets 0–12. Filled circles are the root.

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

A major scale on piano

A major scale on the piano keyboardDEABDEABC♯F♯G♯C♯F♯G♯

Chords in this scale

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

Other scales from A

The same scale from other notes

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A major scale?

A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯. Step formula: W–W–H–W–W–W–H (W = whole step, H = half step).

How do I practise it on guitar?

Every circle on the fretboard is a note of the scale up to fret 12; the filled circles mark the root (A). Start in one position (within 4–5 frets), root to root, slowly, with a metronome.

Which chords go with it?

The chords built on its degrees: A, Bm, C♯m, D, E, F♯m, G♯dim. More in the key of A major.

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