The key of A is incredibly versatile on guitar. A major is bright and popular in country, pop, and rock, while A minor is the most common minor key, used in everything from classical to modern pop. Here’s your complete guide.
The 7 Chords in the Key of A Major
| Numeral | Chord | Type | Notes |
|———|——-|——|——-|
| I | A | Major | A – C# – E |
| ii | Bm | Minor | B – D – F# |
| iii | C#m | Minor | C# – E – G# |
| IV | D | Major | D – F# – A |
| V | E | Major | E – G# – B |
| vi | F#m | Minor | F# – A – C# |
| vii° | G#dim | Diminished | G# – B – D |
The key of A major has three sharps: F#, C#, G#.
The 7 Chords in the Key of A Minor
| Numeral | Chord | Type | Notes |
|———|——-|——|——-|
| i | Am | Minor | A – C – E |
| ii° | Bdim | Diminished | B – D – F |
| III | C | Major | C – E – G |
| iv | Dm | Minor | D – F – A |
| v | Em | Minor | E – G – B |
| VI | F | Major | F – A – C |
| VII | G | Major | G – B – D |
A minor has no sharps or flats — the natural minor scale.
Guitar Chord Shapes — A Major
A Major (I)
Index 2nd fret (4th string), middle 2nd fret (3rd string), ring 2nd fret (2nd string). Strings 1-5.
D Major (IV)
Index 2nd fret (3rd string), ring 3rd fret (2nd string), middle 2nd fret (1st string). Strings 1-4.
E Major (V)
Index 1st fret (3rd string), middle 2nd fret (5th string), ring 2nd fret (4th string). All 6 strings.
F#m (vi)
Barre chord: 244222. Simplified: XX4222.
Bm (ii)
Barre chord: X24432. Simplified: X20202 (Bm7).
Guitar Chord Shapes — A Minor
A minor is the friendliest minor key — all standard open chords:
Am (i)
Index 1st fret (2nd string), middle 2nd fret (4th string), ring 2nd fret (3rd string). Strings 1-5.
C (III), Dm (iv), Em (v), F (VI), G (VII)
All common open chords. F major is the only tricky one — use the simplified XX3211 or partial barre.
Piano Chord Shapes
A Major: A-C#-E | Bm: B-D-F# | C#m: C#-E-G# | D: D-F#-A | E: E-G#-B | F#m: F#-A-C#
A Minor: Am: A-C-E | C: C-E-G | Dm: D-F-A | Em: E-G-B | F: F-A-C | G: G-B-D
Common Progressions in A
A Major: I – IV – V (A – D – E)
The classic three-chord trick. Used in: “Twist and Shout,” “La Bamba” (transposed), “Spirit in the Sky.”
A Major: I – V – vi – IV (A – E – F#m – D)
The modern pop progression. Used in: “Every Breath You Take,” “Ticket to Ride.”
A Minor: i – VII – VI – V (Am – G – F – E)
The Andalusian cadence. Used in: “Stairway to Heaven” (section), “Hit the Road Jack.”
A Minor: i – III – VII – VI (Am – C – G – F)
The modern minor pop progression. Used in: “Set Fire to the Rain,” “Pompeii.”
Songs in A Major
– Twist and Shout — A, D, E
– Every Breath You Take — A, F#m, D, E
– Spirit in the Sky — A, D, E
– Ticket to Ride — A, Bm, E, D
Songs in A Minor
– Stairway to Heaven — Am, G, F, E
– House of the Rising Sun — Am, C, D, F, E
– Jolene — Am, C, G, Em
– Hit the Road Jack — Am, G, F, E
– Set Fire to the Rain — Am, F, C, G
Why A Is Essential for Guitar
A major gives you three easy open chords (A, D, E) that sound full and powerful. A minor is the natural starting point for learning minor keys because it has no sharps or flats. Between the two, the key of A covers an enormous range of popular music.