A chord (A major)

A major is one of those easy to learn chords that you should learn early on.

Diagram showing A chord for guitar
Diagram showing recommended finger position for A chord

About A major chord

Let’s start with some music theory facts about A chord

  • Chord formula: 1 – 3 – 5
  • Chord notes: A – C# – E
  • Alternative names: AM, AMa, Amaj, AΔ
  • Common functions:
    • I-chord in A major key
    • V-chord in D major key
    • IV-chord in E major key

How to play A major chord

A major chord sounds best in open position. The finger position is easy to remember, but the A chord shape might be somewhat challenging to play. Like with D chord your fingers will have to fit tightly together.

Many recommend playing A chord with 1st, 2nd and 3rd, but I find that leaving index finger out and rather using 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers is a better way. Since pinky is a bit smaller I find it is easier to fit all the fingers together:

Common and alternative finger position diagram for A chord
Common and alternative (but recommended) finger position diagram for A chord

Also having an index finger free makes it much easier to transition to other chords. It comes handy when you are playing in the key of E, and have to move from A to B ( a very common I-IV-V chord progression).

Practicing chord changes with A chord

A good way to practice chord changes for A major chord is to play in the key of D major:

  • D-A-D (I-V-I)
  • D-G-A-D (I-IV-V-I)

You can also play in the key of A major:

  • A-D-A (I-IV-I)
  • A-D-E-A (I-IV-V-I)

These are all very simple, yet very useful chord changes that you will use very often.