A-Major Chord Guide

This page dives into the A major chord for guitar - voicings, compatible scales and modes, plus where it rings out in iconic songs. A major (A • C# • E) is one of the first chords every guitarist learns: bright, open, and full of country/rock/folk energy.

Chord Voicings & Tablature

Common ways to play A major

Classic Open Position (x02220)

Easy One-Finger (x0222x)

Full Barre (577655)

High Voicing (x079x9)

Scales & Modes That Fit Perfectly

A-major contains the major third (C#), so bright major-family scales shine. Here are essentials with easy open-position ascending tabs.

Major Family Modes

• A Ionian (Major): A B C# D E F# G# A
  

  
  e|---------------------------4-5-|
  B|-----------------------5-7-----|
  G|-----------------4-6-7---------|
  D|-----------4-6-7---------------|
  A|-----4-5-7---------------------|
  E|-5-7---------------------------|

• D Lydian: D E F# G# A B C# D
  

  
  e|---------------------------7-9-10-|
  B|--------------------7-9-10--------|
  G|------------4-6-7-9---------------|
  D|------4-6-7-----------------------|
  A|--5-7-----------------------------|
  E|----------------------------------|

• E Mixolydian: E F# G# A B C# D E
  

  
  e|--------------------------------9-10-12-|
  B|------------------------9-10-12----------|
  G|-------------------9-11------------------|
  D|-----------9-11-12-----------------------|
  A|----9-11-12------------------------------|
  E|-12--------------------------------------|

Minor Family Modes (for relative minor feel)

• F# Minor Natural (relative minor): F# G# A B C# D E F#
  

  
  e|-----------------------------2--|
  B|-----------------------2-3-5----|
  G|-------------------2-4----------|
  D|-------------2-4-6--------------|
  A|-------2-4-5--------------------|
  E|-2-4-5--------------------------|

Pentatonics

• A-Major Pentatonic: A B C# E F#
  

  
  e|-------------------2-5-|
  B|---------------2-5-----|
  G|-----------2-4---------|
  D|-------2-4-------------|
  A|---4-7-----------------|
  E|-5---------------------|

• F# Minor Pentatonic (relative): F# A B C# E
  

  
  e|---------------------2-5-|
  B|-----------------2-5-----|
  G|-------------2-4---------|
  D|---------2-4-------------|
  A|-----2-4-----------------|
  E|-2-5---------------------|

A-Major in Legendary Songs

The open A chord is a cornerstone of countless classics across genres:

• "Wonderwall" by Oasis – Iconic strumming pattern built heavily on A variations.
• "House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals – Opens with that haunting Am to A progression.
• "La Bamba" by Ritchie Valens – Classic rock n' roll A-D-E riff.
• "Wild Thing" by The Troggs – Simple yet powerful A-D-E sequence.
• "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley – Bright A-D-E reggae groove.
• "Leaving on a Jet Plane" by John Denver – Folk classic featuring open A.