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A Major Chord on Guitar

123

Open A. Three fingers squeeze into the 2nd fret. Angle them so the open high E still rings.

The A major chord, or A, has three fingers side by side on the 2nd fret and is played on five strings.

How to play A, finger by finger

  1. Put your index finger on string 4 at the 2nd fret.
  2. Put your middle finger on string 3 at the 2nd fret.
  3. Put your ring finger on string 2 at the 2nd fret.
  4. Strum from string 5 down to string 1, and don't play string 6.

More ways to play A

5fr13421
E-shape barre from fret 5
12
Open, fret 2 near the nut
4fr2143
Open, fret 4 from fret 4
5fr4312
Movable, fret 5 from fret 5
7fr1243
Movable, fret 7 from fret 7
9fr4312
Barre, fret 9 from fret 9
10fr3214
Movable, fret 10 from fret 10
12fr1234
Movable, fret 12 from fret 12

Notes in A major

NoteIntervalRole
A1root
C♯3major third
E5fifth

Formula: 1 – 3 – 5

Questions about A

My fingers don't fit on the 2nd fret for A. What can I do?

Tilt your fingers so they sit at an angle, or play the three notes with one finger flat across them and leave the high E out.

Often played with A

Other major chords