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)

e|---0---| B|---2---| G|---2---| D|---2---| A|---0---| E|---x---|

Easy One-Finger (x0222x)

e|---x---| B|---2---| G|---2---| D|---2---| A|---0---| E|---x---|

Full Barre (577655)

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

High Voicing (x079x9)

e|---9---| B|---x---| G|---9---| D|---7---| A|---0---| E|---x---|

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.