A, major chord
A, C♯ and E
- Root
- A
- Major third
- C♯
- Perfect fifth
- E
Formula
1 3 5 (4, 7 half steps above A)
Fingering in root position
| Notes | A | C♯ | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
A major inversions
A major has 2 inversions. Each one keeps the same notes and puts a different one at the bottom, so your hand can stay close to the chord before or after it.
A
Root position
| Notes | A | C♯ | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
A/C♯
First inversion
| Notes | C♯ | E | A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
A/E
Second inversion
| Notes | E | A | C♯ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 2 | 1 |
Keys with A major
Roman numerals give a chord's place in a key: capitals for major chords, small letters for minor, ° for diminished. A major appears as:
- I in A major
- IV in E major
- V in D major
- VI in C♯ minor
- V in D minor
- III in F♯ minor
- VII in B minor
How A major is built
A is the root, C♯ the major third and E the perfect fifth.
A major chord is a root, the major third 4 half steps above it and the perfect fifth 7 half steps above it. Lower the middle note by one key and A major becomes A minor.
Every chord takes every other letter of the alphabet, so the letters of A major are A, C, E. That is why it is spelled A, C♯ and E.
Find A major yourself
Without looking at the diagrams, find the chord on the keyboard, then each inversion. Saying the notes out loud as you tap them helps them stick.
Step 1 of 3
Tap the notes of A major, in any octave and any order.
Practice A major in real music
MasterPiano gives you new music to read at your level and listens as you play, through a MIDI keyboard or your device's microphone, marking each note right or wrong.
Start freeQuestions
What notes are in the A major chord?
A major (A) has three notes: A, C♯ and E. A is the root, C♯ the major third and E the perfect fifth.
What fingers do you use for A major on piano?
In root position, play A, C♯ and E with right hand fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger and little finger) and left hand fingers 5, 3 and 1. The fingers change a little in each inversion; every inversion on this page shows its own.
What are the inversions of A major?
A major has 2 inversions, one for each note other than the root at the bottom. First inversion (A/C♯): C♯, E and A. Second inversion (A/E): E, A and C♯.
What key is A major in?
A major is I in A major, its home key. It also appears as IV in E major, V in D major, VI in C♯ minor, V in D minor and III in F♯ minor.