About the A major chord
A major is used in A Major, where its notes spell the I chord.
Its notes are A, C♯, and E. The intervals are a major third and a perfect fifth.
Also called major triad and maj.
Positions
Notes and intervals
| 1 | AA | Root |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | C#C♯ | Major 3rd |
| 3 | EE | Perfect 5th |
Shapes
Chromatic
Circle of Fifths
Keys that use A major
A major is diatonic to these keys, where its notes spell the chord shown.
Other A chords
Simpler triads
Suspended
Sixths and sevenths
Extensions
Altered
Functional relationships
These chords are where this one most naturally comes from and resolves to inside a key.
Relative minor
The relative minor uses the same notes and key signature, so it works as a calmer, darker home base.
Parallel minor
The parallel minor keeps the same root note but lowers the third, giving the same key a darker, sadder sound.
Dominant
The dominant is a fifth above the root, and it builds tension that pulls strongly back to this chord.
Subdominant
The subdominant is a fourth above the root (a fifth below), and it usually leads on to the dominant or back home.
Tritone substitution
The tritone substitution stands in for this chord's dominant with a dominant seventh a half step above the root, which slides down by a half step to resolve here.
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