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A major (A) on guitar

The A major scale consists of the notes A – B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G♯ and has 3 sharps. Below you can see every usable note on the neck up to fret 15.

A majorMajor scale

♪ Click a note on the fretboard to hear its sound.

E
B
G
D
A
E
0123•45•67•89•101112••131415•
Root noteOther notes
Click a note to hear it · frets 0–15

Chords in A major

Common progression: A – E – F♯m – D (I–V–vi–IV).

Quick overview

Root note
A
Mode
major
Key signature
3 sharps
Pentatonic
A B C♯ E F♯
Relative key
F♯ minor

Well-known songs in A major

  • All Right NowFree
  • Black DogLed Zeppelin
  • Blue Suede ShoesCarl Perkins
  • Champagne SupernovaOasis
  • Chasing CarsSnow Patrol
  • Cross Road BluesRobert Johnson
  • CrossroadsCream
  • Dancing QueenABBA
  • Get BackThe Beatles
  • HeartbreakerLed Zeppelin
  • Help!The Beatles
  • Here Comes the SunThe Beatles
  • Highway to HellAC/DC
  • Hoochie Coochie ManMuddy Waters
  • In My LifeThe Beatles
  • JessicaThe Allman Brothers Band
  • Killing FloorHowlin' Wolf
  • La GrangeZZ Top
  • Lay Down SallyEric Clapton
  • Louie LouieThe Kingsmen
  • Rock and RollLed Zeppelin
  • Rock Around the ClockBill Haley & His Comets
  • Someone Like YouAdele
  • Stand by MeBen E. King
  • Stand By MeBen E. King
  • Take Me Home, Country RoadsJohn Denver
  • Take On Mea-ha
  • Tears in HeavenEric Clapton
  • Tennessee WhiskeyChris Stapleton
  • Three Little BirdsBob Marley
  • Wagon WheelDarius Rucker
  • Whole Lotta RosieAC/DC
  • Wild ThingThe Troggs
  • Won't Get Fooled AgainThe Who

Key of the original recording; live versions or covers may differ.

CAGED positions

With the CAGED system you play A in five positions across the whole neck. Each shape connects to the next.

  • A shapearound fret 0 · root on A string, fret 0
  • G shapearound fret 2 · root on low E string, fret 5
  • E shapearound fret 5 · root on low E string, fret 5
  • D shapearound fret 7 · root on D string, fret 7
  • C shapearound fret 9 · root on A string, fret 12

Learn A major in 5 steps

  1. Step 1

    Find the root note A

    Find A on the low E string (fret 5) and on the A string (fret 12). Play them alternately and say the name out loud. Every pattern below hangs off these two points.

  2. Step 2

    Play the main chords

    Learn the three most important chords: A (I), D (IV) and E (V). Switch between them at a slow tempo until you can play through without stopping.

  3. Step 3

    Learn the pentatonic in box 1

    The major pentatonic (A B C♯ E F♯) is the first pattern to learn. Put your index finger around fret 2 and play two notes per string, from the low E to the high e and back.

  4. Step 4

    Extend to the full scale

    Add the two missing notes (D and G♯) in the same position. Now you're playing all seven notes of A majeur: A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯.

  5. Step 5

    Improvise over a chord progression

    Record A – E – F♯m – D (or ask someone to play it) and solo over it using box 1. End your phrases on A and listen to how that "coming home" sounds.

Playing A major with a capo

Go to the capo guide

Solo tips for A major

  1. Start with the major pentatonic scale (A B C♯ E F♯). The best-known "box" pattern starts on the root A on the low E string, fret 5.
  2. End your phrases on the root A for a resolved feeling, or on the third C♯ and fifth E for tension.
  3. Add the blue note C as a passing note for a bluesy sound — don't linger on it too long.
  4. Over the E chord (the V) deliberately play the notes of that chord to make the chord changes audible.

Frequently asked questions about A major

Which notes are in A majeur?

A majeur (A) consists of the notes A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯. The key signature has 3 sharps.

Which chords fit A majeur?

The diatonic chords in A majeur are A, Bm, C♯m, D, E, F♯m, G♯dim. You can freely combine them; they all sound good within the key.

What is the relative key of A majeur?

The relative key is F♯ minor. It uses exactly the same notes and key signature, just with a different tonal centre.

Which pentatonic scale do you use in A majeur?

Use the major pentatonic scale: A, B, C♯, E, F♯. It avoids the "tricky" half-step intervals and almost always sounds good.

How do I find A on the guitar neck?

You'll find the root A on the low E string at fret 5 and on the A string at fret 12, among other places.