Guitar chord Amaj - diagrams and theory
Welcome to our tutorial on the A Major (A maj) chord, a fundamental chord belonging to the Major Chords family. This chord is composed of the notes A, C#, and E, and is built using the intervals 1, 3, and 5.
The A maj chord is a beautiful, uplifting chord that's a staple in many genres of music. It's built from the root note (1), the major third (3), and the perfect fifth (5). If you're new to the concept of musical intervals, we recommend checking out our tutorial about fretboard intervals and our tutorial on how to build chords by stacking intervals.
Understanding the intervals that make up the A maj chord and how they relate to each other on the fretboard is key to mastering this chord. This knowledge will also help you understand how to denote chords depending on the intervals that compose it, a topic we cover in our tutorial on chord notation.
In this tutorial, we will provide detailed chord diagrams and fretboard patterns to show you exactly how to play the A maj chord. If you're interested in exploring more advanced chords, our intermediate guitar chord tutorial can help you expand your chord vocabulary.
Mastering the A maj chord will open up a world of musical possibilities. It's a key component in many common chord progressions, and understanding how to play it will greatly enhance your ability to create songs and play along with your favorite music.
Ready to dive in? Let's start exploring the A maj chord!
Notes in the A maj chord:
Chord formula for the Major chord:
How To Play The A Major chord on guitar
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Position 1
Movable
Position 2
Open
Position 3
Movable
Position 4
Movable
Position 5
Movable
Position 6
Movable
Position 7
Open
Position 8
Open
Position 9
Open
Position 10
Open
Position 11
Barre
Open
Position 12
Barre
Movable
Position 13
Barre
Open
Position 14
Barre
Open
Position 15
Barre
Movable
Position 16
Barre
Movable
Position 17
Barre
Movable
Position 18
Barre
Movable
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FAQ
What notes make up an A Major chord?
The A Major chord is composed of three specific notes: A, C#, and E. These notes are the fundamental building blocks that give the chord its unique sound.
What are the core intervals that define an A Major chord?
An A Major chord is built using the intervals 1, 3, and 5. These represent the root note, the major third above the root, and the perfect fifth above the root, respectively.
Why is this chord called an 'A Major' chord?
It's called an 'A' Major chord because its root note, or the foundational note from which all other notes and intervals are measured, is A. The 'Major' designation comes from the specific characteristic sound created by including a major third interval (C#) in its construction, classifying it within the Major Chords family.
How do the intervals 1, 3, and 5 relate to the notes A, C#, and E in an A Major chord?
For the A Major chord, the '1' interval directly corresponds to the root note A. The '3' interval refers to the major third above A, which is C#. The '5' interval represents the perfect fifth above A, which is E. These intervals establish the precise pitches for the chord.
What gives the A Major chord its 'beautiful' and 'uplifting' sound?
The A Major chord's 'beautiful' and 'uplifting' quality is characteristic of major chords in general. This bright, positive sound is primarily attributed to the presence of the major third interval (C#) in its structure, which resolves pleasantly with the root and fifth.