What is the A major scale? Explore this popular scale, including its notes and chords, its relative minor, how to play it on piano, and songs in the key of A major
In the world of music theory, few concepts hold as much significance as scales, which form the foundational building blocks of melodies and harmonies. Understanding the scale of A major can open up your musical world to new feelings and sounds on the piano. Knowing this key will make it easier to learn compositions in the A major and F# minor scale.
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What does it mean when a song is in the key of A major?
When a song is in the key of A major, it means that the foundational musical notes and chords of the composition are based on the A major scale. In classical music, A major is often associated with a sense of bright and uplifting emotions, evoking feelings of joy, cheerfulness, and optimism. The key of A major is known for its vibrant tonality, making it a popular choice for expressing exuberant and celebratory themes.
To learn more about all kinds of piano scales, check out our All Piano Scales Guide: Major, Minor & More!
What notes are in the scale of A major?
The scale of A major is a musical scale that starts on A and has three sharps in its key signature. The notes of the A major scale are A, B, C sharp, D, E, F sharp, and G sharp.
What is the key signature for A major?
The key of A major has three sharps written in the following order on the staff, F sharp, C sharp, G sharp. Here’s a useful tip to help you know what key you’re in when looking at a key signature with sharps. Find the last sharp in the key signature, and then go up one half step. That will be the tonic, the first note of the scale, and the name of the key signature. If you look at the key signature below, the last sharp is G sharp. One half step up from G sharp is A. This is the key of A major.
What is the relative minor of the A major scale?
In music theory, the relative minor of a major key is the key that shares the same key signature but starts on the sixth degree (or step) of the major scale. The relative minor of the A major scale is F# minor.
The key of F# minor is associated with a different emotional character compared to A major, often evoking a sense of melancholy, introspection, and sometimes even a touch of darkness in its musical expressions.
Compared to its relative minor key, A major presents a clear contrast by infusing the music with a lively and triumphant quality. Compositions in the key of A major often convey a sense of enthusiasm and positivity, making it a versatile and widely used key across various musical genres.
Whether in classical, pop, or other styles, A major can inspire a sense of hope and exultation in the listener, making it a favored choice for composers seeking to create uplifting and joyful musical experiences.
Chords of the A major scale
The most commonly used chords in key of A major are the I chord, or tonic, which is built on A, the IV chord, or subdominant, built on D, and the V chord, the dominant, built on E:
I chord (A major triad): A – C sharp – E
IV chord (D major triad): D – F sharp – A
V chord (E major triad): E – G sharp – B
Another chord you’ll see used often in the key of A major is the vi chord, the F# minor chord, which is the tonic chord of the relative minor key, F# minor:
vi chord (F# minor triad): F sharp – A – C sharp
Other chords in the key of A major include the ii chord, b minor chord built on B, the iii chord, another minor chord built on C sharp, and the vii chord, a diminished chord built on G sharp.
ii chord (B minor triad): B – D – F sharp
iii chord (C# minor triad): C-sharp – E – G sharp
vii chord (G# diminished triad): G sharp – B – D
If you’d like some handy reference guides for chords and triads, download these free resources from the Hoffman Academy Store:
Playing the A major scale on the piano
To play the A major piano scale, follow these steps:
First, find the starting note A on the piano keyboard. We will play the A major scale ascending up the keyboard. Here is the right hand placement for the A major piano scale:
1 on A
2 on B
3 on C sharp
Cross thumb under:
1 on D
2 on E
3 on F sharp
4 on G sharp
5 on A
Left hand placement for the A major piano scale:
5 on A
4 on B
3 on C sharp
2 on D
1 on E
Cross finger three over:
3 on F sharp
2 on G sharp
1 on A
When coming down the scale of A major, simply reverse the finger order like this:
Right hand placement for the descending A major piano scale:
5 on A
4 on G sharp
3 on F sharp
2 on E
1 on D
Cross finger three over:
3 on C sharp
2 on B
1 on A
Left hand placement for the descending A major piano scale:
1 on A
2 on G sharp
3 on F sharp
Cross thumb under:
1 on E
2 on D
3 on C sharp
4 on B
5 on A
For more help learning the A major scale, check out our video on the A major scale.
Songs that feature the scale of A major
Enjoy listening to these songs composed in the scale of A major:
- To A Wild Rose – Edward MacDowell. In To a Wild Rose, the A major scale is used to explore feelings of tenderness, simplicity, and love.
- Ava Maria – Friedrich Burgmuller. There’s a beautiful reverence to this piece. In Ava Maria, the A major scale embodies feelings of respect and esteem.
- Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles. In this song, the A major scale is used to express feelings of joy and happiness.
- My Immortal – Evanescence. This song explores the more emotional, melancholic side of the A major scale.
Want to learn all of the major scales on piano? Download our free Guide to All Major Scales now