transpose.siteA chord (A major)
The A chord is a major chord built on A. A major triad: the root with a major third and a perfect fifth on top. It sounds bright and settled, which is why it opens and closes so many songs.
A guitar chord
Common shape
Barre, root on 6th string (fret 5)
The left vertical line is the 6th (thickest) string. Numbers in dots are fingers (1 index · 2 middle · 3 ring · 4 little), × means don't play that string and ○ means open.
Play it the easy way with a capo
- Capo on fret 2 + G shape
- Capo on fret 5 + E shape
- Capo on fret 7 + D shape
With a capo on for the whole song, every other chord moves by the same number of frets.
A chord notes
| Degree | 1 (root) | 3 (major 3rd) | 5 (perfect 5th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | A | C♯ | E |
A piano chord
On piano, press these 3 notes together. Bass players usually play the root, A.
Keys that use A
- D major: V
- E major: IV
- A major: I
- C♯ minor: VI
- F♯ minor: III
- B minor: VII
Progressions in D major
- D – A – Bm – G (I – V – vi – IV, the most common pop progression)
- D – Bm – G – A (I – vi – IV – V, the '50s progression, ballads)
Transposing A
One half step up, A becomes B♭; one half step down, A♭. To change the key of a whole PDF score, open it in the free PDF transposer.