A Major scale and chords

The A major scale comprises the notes A, B, C#, D, E, F#, and G#. These notes create a sequence that follows a pattern of whole and half steps. In A major, this pattern is:

• Whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step

A whole step is a jump of two notes on the keyboard (for example, from A to B), while a half step is a jump of one note (for example, from C♯ to D).

Key Signature​

A major has three sharps in its key signature: F#, C#, and G#. In sheet music, these sharps appear after the clef on each line of music, reminding you to play each instance of these notes as sharp unless otherwise indicated.

Chords in A Major​

Chords are made by playing specific notes together. In the key of A Major, here are the primary chords (triads):

• A Major chord (A-C#-E): This is made from the A Major scale's first, third, and fifth notes.
• B minor chord (B-D-F#): This uses the second, fourth, and sixth notes.
• C# minor chord (C#-E-G#): This is built from the third, fifth, and seventh notes.
• D Major chord (D-F#-A) uses the fourth, sixth, and eighth (or first) notes.
• E Major chord (E-G#-B): From the fifth, seventh, and second notes.
• F# minor chord (F#-A-C#): It is made from the sixth, eighth (or first), and third notes.
• G# diminished chord (G#-B-D): This unusual-sounding chord uses the seventh, second, and fourth notes.