A Major Chord on Guitar: Three Fingers, One Fret

A major is one of the first chords every guitarist learns. It's also one of the strangest. Three fingers crammed onto a single fret, all on different strings, all wanting the same real estate. The chord itself is friendly. Getting all three fingers in there cleanly is the whole challenge.

A major is built from A, C sharp, and E. The open A string gives you the root for free.

The Standard A Fingering

• 1st string (high E): open
• 2nd string (B): 2nd fret, ring finger
• 3rd string (G): 2nd fret, middle finger
• 4th string (D): 2nd fret, index finger
• 5th string (A): open
• 6th string (low E): do not play

Strum strings 1 through 5. The notes from low to high are A, E, A, C sharp, E. Three different pitches, all in A major.

The challenge is fitting three fingers onto a single fret. Three options for the fingering: index-middle-ring (4th-3rd-2nd strings), middle-ring-pinky, or a single-finger barre across strings 4-3-2 with whichever finger you prefer (most use the ring or middle).

The One-Finger A (Barre Version)

Some players prefer to barre strings 4, 3, and 2 with a single finger at the 2nd fret. Usually the ring finger or the middle finger. The trade-off is that the half-barre tends to mute the 1st string (high E) by accident, which turns the chord from a 5-string A into a 4-string A. The 4-string version still sounds like A, just thinner.

This version is the favorite of players who want to easily slide into A7 or A major with extensions. Less precise but more flexible.

Songs That Use A Major

• "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty rotates through A and Asus4 (just add the pinky on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string).
• "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley is built on A, D, E.
• "Brown Eyed Girl" opens on A.
• Most pop songs in A major. A is the home chord of countless songs in the singer-songwriter and country canon.
• The blues in A. Most blues songs in A use A as their I chord.

Common A Major Mistakes

• Strumming the low E. The 6th string (open low E) is not in A major. It'll add a non-chord tone that muddies the harmony. Train your strum to start on the A string. Mute the 6th with the side of your thumb if needed.
• Fingers crowding the high E string. When three fingers stack on one fret, the closest finger to the 1st string (usually the ring) tends to brush the 1st string and mute it. Curl that finger more aggressively so it stands on its tip.
• Hand position too low. If your wrist hangs below the neck, your fingers will be flat on the strings. Tilt the wrist forward and let your fingers approach the strings from above.

A Variations

• Asus4. Add your pinky on the 3rd fret of the B string. Same A shape, plus one more note. Used as an embellishment in countless songs (the famous "Free Fallin'" hammer-on is the lift between A and Asus4).
• Asus2. Lift your ring finger off the B string. The open B gives you the suspended 2nd. Brighter than regular A.
• A7. Lift the middle finger off the 3rd string. The open G gives you the dominant 7th. Used in blues and jazz constantly.
• Amaj7. Lift the ring finger off the B string and replace it with the index on the 1st fret of the 2nd string... wait, that's not Amaj7. The actual Amaj7 is index on 2nd fret of D, middle on 1st fret of B (the C natural becomes G sharp from the open G... let me think). Try this: A major shape with the 2nd string at the 2nd fret instead of the 3rd. That gives you A, E, A, C#, G#. Yes, that's Amaj7.

The A to D to E Cycle

A, D, and E are the three open chords that form the I-IV-V progression in A major. Most blues, country, and folk songs in A live inside this triangle. Drilling the A to D and A to E changes is the single most useful chord-transition practice you can do if you're playing in A.

The practice mode at Guitaring loops chord progressions like A-D-E-A at any tempo. Set it to 60 BPM, play through it twenty times, then bump up to 70 BPM. After a week of this, the changes happen without thought.

FAQ: A Major Chord Questions

Should I strum the high E string in A major?

Yes. The high E is the 5th of A major and adds brightness to the chord. The trick is making sure your fingers don't accidentally mute it. Curl your ring finger more aggressively so it stands on its tip.

Why does A major use three fingers on one fret?

Because the chord requires the 2nd fret of the D, G, and B strings, and there's no way to fret three different strings on the same fret with fewer than three fingers (or one barred finger). The single-fret position is what makes A major both easy to find and awkward to fit your fingers into.

Can I play A major with two fingers?

You can play a partial A with two fingers, but you'll lose one of the chord tones. The standard 3-note voicing requires three fingers or a single half-barre. Two fingers gives you a power-chord-style A5, not a full A major.

What's the difference between A and Am?

One note. A major is A, C sharp, E. A minor is A, C natural, E. The third is a half step lower in the minor version. On the fretboard, the difference is the 1st fret of the B string (Am) vs the 2nd fret of the B string (A major).

Is A major the same as 6th chord shapes?

No. A major is a triad (3 notes). A6 adds the 6th (F sharp) on top, making it a 4-note chord. Different chord, different sound. Both use the same root note A.