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Guitar scales · Major (Ionian)

A major scale on guitar

The A major scale has seven notes: A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯ and G♯. As degrees: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Notes and pattern

The A major scale

The reference scale. Bright and resolved; every other scale is described against it. Play it to hear it up and down.

From note to note it climbs 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2 and 1 : whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half.

A major has the same notes as F♯ minor, starting from A. See that scale.

  1. A1
  2. B2
  3. C♯3
  4. D4
  5. E5
  6. F♯6
  7. G♯7
EADGBE0135791215AAAAAAAAEF♯G♯BC♯DEF♯BC♯DEF♯G♯BDEF♯G♯BC♯DEG♯BC♯DEF♯G♯BC♯DEF♯G♯BC♯DEF♯G♯BC♯DEF♯
  • A, the root
  • Other scale notes

Positions

A major in five positions

The splits the neck into five overlapping positions, one per shape. Learn one, then join it to the next.

A major · the whole neck

Five positions, each overlapping the next, repeating every 12 frets.

AAGGEDCCEADGBE0135791215AAAAAAAAEF♯G♯BC♯DEF♯BC♯DEF♯G♯BDEF♯G♯BC♯DEG♯BC♯DEF♯G♯BC♯DEF♯G♯BC♯DEF♯G♯BC♯DEF♯
  • Root (A)
  • Scale tone

Chords

Chords from the A major scale

Stack every other note of the scale on each degree and you get its chords.

Numerals follow the key's own scale, so III, VI and VII in a minor key are its own major chords. A ♭ or ♯ in front marks a chord from outside the key. How Roman numerals work

Hear the chords and progressions in A major

Same root

Other scales on A

Change a note or two and the same takes on a new mood.

Questions

A major, in short

What notes are in the A major scale?
The A major scale has seven notes: A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯ and G♯. As degrees: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
What chords go with the A major scale?
The chords built on A major are A, Bm, C♯m, D, E, F♯m and G♯°.
What is the relative minor of A major?
A major has the same notes as F♯ minor, starting from A.
All guitar scales