A major chord on piano

A · Amaj · AM — the bright, stable sound most songs are built on.

Notes	A – C♯ – E
Formula	1 – 3 – 5
Symbols	A, Amaj, AM
Fingering (root position)	Right hand 1 3 5 · Left hand 5 3 1

How to play A major on the piano

Start on A. Add the third (C♯) and the fifth (E). With the right hand use fingers 1 3 5; with the left hand 5 3 1. Press the keys together for the chord, or one after another for an arpeggio.

Inversions

The same notes in a different order: the lowest note changes, the chord stays A major. Inversions let you move between chords with small steps.

Root position

A – C♯ – E · RH 1 3 5 · LH 5 3 1

1st inversion

C♯ – E – A · RH 1 2 5 · LH 5 3 1

2nd inversion

E – A – C♯ · RH 1 3 5 · LH 5 2 1

Which keys use A major

In these keys the chord is built from the notes of the scale itself:

VI in C♯ minor
V in D major
IV in E major
III in F♯ minor
I in A major
VII in B minor

Its relative minor chord is F♯ minor.

Other A chords

A minor A diminished A augmented A sus2 A sus4 A6 A7 A major seventh A minor seventh A diminished seventh A half-diminished

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