Chords in the key of A major
The key of A major has the notes A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, and G♯ and the chords A, Bm, C♯m, D, E, F♯m, and G♯°. As seventh chords: A7M, Bm7, C♯m7, D7M, E7, F♯m7, and G♯m7(♭5). Key signature: 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯). Relative minor: F sharp minor.
- A
- B
- C♯
- D
- E
- F♯
- G♯
Chords in A major
| Degree | Triad | Seventh chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | A | A7M | tonic |
| ii | Bm | Bm7 | subdominant |
| iii | C♯m | C♯m7 | tonic |
| IV | D | D7M | subdominant |
| V | E | E7 | dominant |
| vi | F♯m | F♯m7 | tonic |
| vii° | G♯° | G♯m7(♭5) | dominant |
Each chord in the table opens its guitar page, with the diagram and the sound.
The chords of A major on the piano
What each chord does
Tonic (A, C♯m, and F♯m) feels at rest; subdominant (Bm and D) moves away from home; dominant (E and G♯°) builds tension and wants to go back to A.
Common progressions in A major
Listen to each one and open it in the backing track to play along.
-
The pop progression
I–V–vi–IVThe most used sequence in pop and country: it works under almost any melody.
-
50s progression
I–vi–IV–VThe "doo-wop": from 1950s ballads to today's romantic pop.
-
Jazz IIm–V–I
ii7–V7–Imaj7The most important cadence in jazz and bossa nova.
-
The three chords
I–IV–VI–IV–V: the foundation of rock, blues, country and folk.
-
Sentimental pop
vi–IV–I–VThe pop progression starting on the relative minor: emotional, chorus-ready.
Relative and parallel keys
Relative minor: F sharp minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature (3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯)).
Parallel key: A minor, with the same tonic and the other mode. Switching between them mid-song changes the mood without moving the home note.
Neighbours on the circle of fifths: D major (a fifth below) and E major (a fifth above). Modulating to them sounds natural.
Circle of fifths
A major is highlighted. Clockwise, each step goes up a fifth and adds a sharp; counter-clockwise, a flat. The relative minors are on the inside. Tap a key to see its chords.
Scales and tools for A major
Chords in other keys
Major keys
Minor keys
Frequently asked questions
What chords are in the key of A major?
A, Bm, C♯m, D, E, F♯m, and G♯°. As seventh chords: A7M, Bm7, C♯m7, D7M, E7, F♯m7, and G♯m7(♭5).
What is the relative of A major?
F sharp minor. Both scales have the same notes and the same key signature: 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯).
What is the key signature of A major?
A major has 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯) in its key signature.
What is the dominant chord in A major?
It is E (or E7 with the seventh), the V chord. It builds tension and resolves to A, the tonic.
What chord progressions work in A major?
The most common: I–V–vi–IV: A E F♯m D; I–vi–IV–V: A F♯m D E; ii7–V7–Imaj7: Bm7 E7 A7M; I–IV–V: A D E; vi–IV–I–V: F♯m D A E.