A Major Scale, Chords & Songs

The A Major scale

The A Major scale contains seven notes: A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G#. Key signature: 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯).

All notes in the A Major scale highlighted on the keyboard.

Diatonic chords in A Major

These seven chords are built on each scale degree. They're the natural chord palette for songs in A Major — most pop progressions like I-V-vi-IV use only these.

Quick facts

Key signature

3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯)

Relative minor

F♯ minor

Difficulty on piano

Intermediate — 3 sharps.

Songs in our catalog

Available in this key

Popular chord progressions in A Major

These famous progressions are built from the diatonic chords of A Major. Click any to learn the theory + see songs that use it.

• I–V–vi–IV ("Axis of Awesome")I – V – vi – IV
  AEF#mD
• I–IV–V (Three-Chord Classic)I – IV – V
  ADE
• 12-Bar BluesI – I – I – I | IV – IV – I – I | V – IV – I – V
  A7D7E7
• I–IV–I–V (Country Two-Step)I – IV – I – V
  ADAE