A major scale

A major

  • AR
  • B2
  • C♯3
  • D4
  • E5
  • F♯6
  • G♯7

Positions

123456789101112131415EF♯G♯ABC♯DEF♯ABC♯DEF♯G♯ABDEF♯G♯ABC♯DEG♯ABC♯DEF♯G♯ABC♯DEF♯G♯ABC♯DEF♯G♯ABC♯DEF♯
Solo over I–IV–V–I in A →Memorize this scale →

How it is built

  • Seven notes: whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. The half steps fall between C♯–D and G♯–A.
  • G♯ is the leading tone. It sits a half step below A and pulls hard toward it, which is why the V chord resolves home.
  • Same notes as F♯ minor. Start on F♯ and the mood flips without changing a single pitch.

Chords in the key of A major

  1. IA
  2. iiBm
  3. iiiC♯m
  4. IVD
  5. VE
  6. viF♯m
  7. vii°G♯dim
Build a progression in A major →

Chords that fit A major

Related keys

  • Relative: F♯ minor — same notes, different home
  • Parallel: A minor — same root, different notes

Other A scales