I-IV-V (the Three Chord Trick)
I · IV · V
The most fundamental progression in Western music.
Key of A
The Key of A Major
The chords in the key of A major are A, Bm, C♯m, D, E, F♯m and G♯dim.
The blues-rock three-chord key.
Below: all seven diatonic chords with guitar shapes and audio, the scale, the key signature (F♯ · C♯ · G♯), 8 progressions already transposed into this key, and the keys next door.
Diatonic chords
The 7 chords in the key of A major
Each degree of the A major scale carries one chord. Roman numerals show the degree; the function column tells you what the chord does. Every name links to its full chord page — press play to hear it on guitar.
| Degree | Function | Chord | Guitar shape | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | TonicTonicHome — rests | AA · C♯ · E | ||
| ii | SubdominantSupertonicDeparts — sets up the V | BmB · D · F♯ | ||
| iii | TonicMediantHome — rests | C♯mC♯ · E · G♯ | ||
| IV | SubdominantSubdominantDeparts — sets up the V | DD · F♯ · A | ||
| V | DominantDominantPulls back to I | EE · G♯ · B | ||
| vi | TonicSubmediantHome — rests | F♯mF♯ · A · C♯ | ||
| vii° | DominantLeading tonePulls back to I | G♯dimG♯ · B · D |
Want the same chords on another instrument? Every chord page carries piano, ukulele, bass, mandolin and banjo shapes — start with piano.
Character
Why songs live in A major
A major gives you A, D and E — three open chords, all loud, all easy. It also puts a vocal high enough to sound urgent without tipping into falsetto, which is why so much blues-rock and garage rock was cut in this key. The vi chord, F#m, is the only shape that needs a barre.
Scale
The A major scale
Seven notes, in order from the tonic. Tap any note to hear it, or play the whole scale ascending.
Fretboard patterns and full scale reference: A Major (Ionian).
Key signature
The A major key signature
F♯ · C♯ · G♯
A major is written with 3 sharps. Every F, C and G in the music is played sharp unless an accidental says otherwise. Its relative minor, F♯ minor, shares this signature exactly.
Progressions
Chord progressions in A major
The most-used progressions, already transposed into A major. Every chord links to its own page; the progression name opens the full breakdown.
I-V-vi-IV (the Pop Punk Progression)
I · V · vi · IV
The 4-chord pop progression that powers thousands of hits.
vi-IV-I-V (Sensitive Female)
vi · IV · I · V
The minor-flavored sibling of I-V-vi-IV.
I-vi-IV-V (the Doo-Wop)
I · vi · IV · V
The 1950s ballad backbone.
I-IV-I-V
I · IV · I · V
Classic 4-bar phrase with a leading-tone pull on bar 4.
I-♭VII-IV (Mixolydian Rock)
I · ♭VII · IV
Mixolydian flavor; classic rock pull.
12-Bar Blues
I · I · I · I · IV · IV · I · I · V · IV · I · V
The defining blues form. 4 bars I, 2 bars IV, 2 bars I, 1 bar V, 1 bar IV, 1 bar I, 1 bar V (turnaround).
8-Bar Blues
I · V · IV · IV · I · V · I · V
Compressed blues form.
FAQ
Questions about the key of A major
- What chords are in the key of A major?
- The key of A major contains seven diatonic chords: A (I), Bm (ii), C#m (iii), D (IV), E (V), F#m (vi), G#dim (vii°). Most songs in A major lean on A, D and E — the tonic, subdominant and dominant.
- What is the relative minor of A major?
- F# minor is the relative minor of A major. Both keys share the same key signature (3 sharps) and exactly the same seven notes — F# minor simply treats F# as home instead of A, which is why you can borrow chords freely between them.
- What are the easiest chords in A major to play on guitar?
- A, D and E are the open shapes in A major — no barre required. The rest of the diatonic chords need a barre or a movable grip, so many players capo instead and use familiar open shapes from an easier key.
Learn the theory
Read up on A major
This page is the reference. These are the guides that explain how a key works in the first place — read one and the table above stops needing to be looked up.