Chords in the key of A
The key of A major has seven chords: A · Bm · C♯m · D · E · F♯m · G♯dim. Tap any chord to hear it.
Keys lit: the A major scale. Tap a chord to light its notes.
The A major chord chart
| Degree | Triad | Notes | 7th chord | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | A | A C♯ E | Amaj7 (Imaj7) | Tonic: home |
| ii | Bm | B D F♯ | Bm7 (ii7) | Pre-dominant |
| iii | C♯m | C♯ E G♯ | C♯m7 (iii7) | Tonic substitute |
| IV | D | D F♯ A | Dmaj7 (IVmaj7) | Subdominant |
| V | E | E G♯ B | E7 (V7) | Dominant: pulls home |
| vi | F♯m | F♯ A C♯ | F♯m7 (vi7) | Relative minor |
| vii° | G♯dim | G♯ B D | G♯m7♭5 (viiø7) | Leading-tone chord |
Key of A at a glance
- Scale: A B C♯ D E F♯ G♯
- Key signature: 3 sharps (C♯ F♯ G♯)
- Major chords: A, D, E
- Minor chords: Bm, C♯m, F♯m
- Diminished: G♯dim
- Relative minor: F♯ minor
The pattern of chord qualities is the same in every major key: major, minor, minor, major, major, minor, diminished. It comes from stacking every other note of the scale on each degree.
Common progressions in A
| Progression | Chords in A | Play |
|---|---|---|
| I–V–vi–IV (pop) | A – E – F♯m – D | |
| I–IV–V (rock and folk) | A – D – E – A | |
| I–vi–IV–V (50s) | A – F♯m – D – E | |
| ii–V–I (jazz) | Bm – E – A – A | |
| vi–IV–I–V (sensitive) | F♯m – D – A – E |
More ideas by mood: pop, sad and jazz chord progressions, or loop your own in the chord progression generator.
Other keys
Questions
What chords are in the key of A?
The key of A major has seven chords: A, Bm, C♯m, D, E, F♯m, G♯dim. In Roman numerals that is I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi and vii°.
What are the I, IV and V chords in A?
A (I), D (IV) and E (V). These three major chords can harmonise most simple melodies in A major.
What is the relative minor of A major?
F♯ minor. It uses the same notes and key signature (3 sharps), starting on the sixth degree, F♯.
What notes are in the A major scale?
A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯, then A again an octave higher.