A major chord
The A major chord, written A, has 3 notes: A, C♯ and E. They are the root, major third and perfect fifth above A (chord formula 1 3 5).
- NotesA C♯ E
- Chord symbolA, Amaj, AM
- Formula1 3 5
- Half steps4 + 3
A chord on the piano
Play A, C♯ and E together. In root position A is at the bottom; the next note is 4 half steps higher, and the one after that 3 half steps above it. Press Play to hear the notes one at a time and then together.
A chord on the staff, with inversions
An inversion keeps the same notes but puts a different one at the bottom. The chord symbol after a slash names the bass note.
| Position | Notes, bottom to top | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Root position | A C♯ E | A |
| First inversion | C♯ E A | A/C♯ |
| Second inversion | E A C♯ | A/E |
A chord on guitar
Each diagram shows the six strings from the low E on the left to the high E on the right. A dot is a fretted note, o is an open string, × is a string you do not play, and a bar across the strings is a barre held with one finger.
What is a major chord?
A major chord is a three-note chord made of a root, a major third (4 half steps above the root) and a perfect fifth (7 half steps above the root). It is the most common chord in Western music.
Bright, open and stable. A major chord sounds settled, as if the music has arrived somewhere. Most listeners hear it as cheerful or confident.
Where you hear major chords
It is the home chord (I) of every major key and the basis of most pop, rock, folk and classical melodies. In a major key, the chords on the first, fourth and fifth notes are all major, and they carry much of the harmony in simple songs.
Tip: To build one, count 4 half steps up for the third and 3 more for the fifth. Play it with fingers 1, 3 and 5 on the piano.
Ways this chord type is written (shown for C): C, CM, Cmaj, CMaj.
Which keys have the A chord?
A is built only from notes of these keys, so it appears in them naturally. The Roman numeral is its place in the key.
Check yourself
1. Which note is the third of the A chord?
Answer: C♯. A is built root, third, fifth: A, C♯ and E. The second note, C♯, is the third.
2. What is the bass note of A/C♯?
Answer: C♯. A slash chord names its bass note after the slash. A/C♯ is the first inversion, with C♯ at the bottom.
3. How many half steps are there from A up to C♯ in this chord?
Answer: 4. A to C♯ is a major third, which is 4 half steps.
Other A chords
Major chords in every key
See also: piano chord chart, chord inversions, chord progressions.