A Major is a very common chord, featured in any number of songs, so it’s an important chord to include within your chord repertoire.
In the following guide, you will learn how to play the A Major chord on a left-handed guitar. You’ll explore its construction from the notes A, C♯, E, based on the root, the major 3rd, and the perfect 5th intervals of the A Major scale.
Left-handed chord diagrams and tips for finger placement are also included to help you incorporate A Major into your chord progressions.
Interested in learning more left-handed chords? Check out our left-handed chord library.
How to Play the A Major Chord
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Fingering (right-hand): • Index finger (1st finger) on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string Strumming (left-hand): Strum all the strings from the fifth string (A) down. |
* Please note: This (and all chord charts on this website) are shown in left-handed orientation.
Alternate A Major Chord Voicings
The chord voicings below represent alternative ways to play the A Major chord, using the same notes:A, C♯, E, but arranged differently on the fretboard.
These variations provide tonal variety and adapt the chord to different musical contexts.
* Please note: This (and all chord charts on this website) are shown in left-handed orientation.
Tips For Playing the A Major Chord For Left-Handers
Here are some tips specific to playing the A major chord:
• Finger Placement: Make sure your index, middle, and ring fingers are placed tightly together on the 2nd fret of the D, G, and B strings respectively. This close placement helps produce a clear sound.
• Avoiding Muted Strings: To prevent muting the high E string, position your fingers so that they are perpendicular to the fretboard. Arch your fingers and use the tips to press the strings.
• Thumb Position: Keep your thumb positioned at the back of the neck, roughly in the middle. This provides better leverage and keeps your hand relaxed, aiding in smooth transitions to other chords.
A Major Chord Construction
How Are Chords Constructed?
Chords can be constructed from scales by using scale degrees or intervals. Scale degrees indicate the position of each note within the scale, intervals describe the distance from the root note to other notes in the scale. For example, a major triad includes the root, the major 3rd, and the perfect 5th intervals derived from the A Major to create its distinct sound.
Being a major triad the A Major chord includes the root, the major 3rd, and the perfect 5th intervals derived from the A Major scale to create its distinct sound.
In terms of scale degrees, the A Major chord is built using the 1st, 3rd, and 5th degrees of the A Major scale.
These degrees correspond to specific intervals that outline the notes of the chord.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the A Major scale showing how its notes contribute to constructing the A Major chord.
A Major Chord Construction
| Scale Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scale Degree 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Intervals Root | R | M2 | M3 | P4 | P5 | M6 | M7 |
| A Major Scale Degrees | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Notes | A | B | C♯ | D | E | F♯ | G♯ |
The notes that form the A Major chord are A, C♯, E.
These notes are named according to music theory conventions, but their enharmonic equivalents are more familiar (e.g., E♯ = F, C♭ = B, E♭♭ = D, F♭ = E, G♭ = F♯, etc.) for practical understanding.
The Role of A Major – Chord Function
What is Chord Function?
Chord function describes how a chord creates tension, resolution, or movement in a key. It defines the chord’s relationship to other chords and its role in shaping progressions.
| Key | Chord Number | Function |
|---|---|---|
| A Major | I | Tonic – The ‘home’ chord of the key. |
| B♭ Major | N/A | Not part of the scale |
| B Major | N/A | Not part of the scale |
| C Major | N/A | Not part of the scale |
| D♭ Major | N/A | Not part of the scale |
| D Major | V | Dominant – Resolves to the tonic. |
| E♭ Major | N/A | Not part of the scale |
| E Major | IV | Subdominant – Prepares for the dominant. |
| F Major | N/A | Not part of the scale |
| F# Major | N/A | Not part of the scale |
| G Major | N/A | Not part of the scale |
| A♭ Major | N/A | Not part of the scale |
- Key: The musical key.
- Chord Number: Indicates the chord’s position within the key (e.g., I, ii, V).
- Chord Function: Describes the musical role of the chord in a specific key (e.g., Tonic, Subdominant).
Wrapping Up
Understanding the A Major chord’s construction, role in progressions, and variations will allow you to incorporate A Major into your playing with confidence and creativity.
More left-hand resources like this are available from
our left-handed chord database page.
