Knowing how to play the key of A major on the guitar is a fundamental and important skill. Since the key of A is often used in rock and pop music, A major is one that you should master. Fortunately, A major and its variations (Am, A7, and Am7) are some of the easiest chords to play, and there are several ways to play them.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Playing A Key Open
Step 1. Know that the chord of A requires placing three different fingers on three different strings
In the key of A major (or as it's called simply "A" chord), you have to sound all the strings except the top one. The standard A major chord forms a straight line using the index, middle, and ring fingers on the second fret, pressing the second, third, and fourth strings from below. Here's where the guitar is in your lap, starting with the thickest strings:
- Leave the top string "open," meaning you don't press it with any fingers.
- Leave the next string open as well.
- Place your index finger on the next string, between the first and second frets. The first fret is closest to the head of the guitar.
- Place your middle finger between the first and second frets.
- Place your ring finger between the first and second frets.
- Leave the bottom string (high E string) open.
Step 2. Learn guitar notes to make learning the key of A major easier
Guitar strings are not counted from top to bottom. The bottom string, the thinnest, is the first string. The next string above it is the second string, and so on, until you reach the sixth string, which is the thickest. You can take the donkey bridge in English to remember the notes of the strings, E very B oy G et D inner A t E ight, because the notes are, starting from the bottom up, EBGDAE.
- The first string, the thinnest, is the pitched string E high.
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The second string is a pitched string B.
- The third string is a pitched string G.
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The fourth string is a pitched string D.
- The fifth string is a pitched string A.
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The sixth string, the thickest, pitched low E.
Step 3. Understand the meaning of fret
The frets are the small metallic poles along the neck of the guitar. Squeezing a string between two frets changes the pitch, and each fret marks a pitch changing interval. The first fret is closest to the head of the guitar, in the form of a small cut at the end of the neck of the guitar, where all the strings are attached to the tuner. If a song requires a note on the first fret, place your finger between the headroom and the first fret. If the song requires notes on the second string at the fifth fret, place your finger in the space between the fourth and fifth frets, above the second string.
- Each fret represents a half beat musically. So, the sixth string (top string) pressed at the fourth fret is a G# (clear), while the same string at the fifth fret is an A note, at the sixth fret it is an A#, and so on.
- Try to keep your fingers as close to the frets as possible for the best sound. For example, if you want to play a note on the second fret, try holding your finger as close to the second fret as possible, without messing it up or placing it directly on the fret. You'll still be between the first and second frets, only this time closer to the second.
- The tablature is a guitar version of sheet music, and it uses the fret numbers instead of the notes. The tablature is very useful to learn if you want to understand the frets.
Step 4. Leave the top two strings open when playing the key of A major
Don't play the sixth string at all. The fifth string, when left open, already sounds A, so it will be used when you ring the key.
Remember, the fifth and sixth strings are the top two strings
Step 5. Place your index finger on the second fret on the fourth string
This note is an E. The chords on the guitar are not made of the same notes, but rather from several different notes that produce harmonies for a rich, rounded chord sound.
Step 6. Place your middle finger on the second fret on the third string
The note is also A, but an octave higher (same note at different frequencies). Imagine two singers, a man and a woman, singing the same note on different notes, so the result is beautiful - this is how you can understand octaves. For now, you just need to know what octave is in relation to the key you're playing.
Step 7. Place your ring finger on the second fret on the second string
Once all the fingers are in position, the three will form a line on the second fret. This is a C# tone.
This note is included because C3 is the third note on the A major scale, although this is not something that beginners should remember
Step 8. Leave the bottom string (first string) open
It's an E, an octave higher than the E you play on the fourth string, making your chords sound beautiful.
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Tone theory in music:
E is the fifth note on the A major scale. All major chords are made up of the first, second, and third notes of the major scale. So, the key of A is made up of the notes A, E, and C#.
Step 9. Play the bottom five strings
Try not to touch the thick sixth string on top of the guitar. This is standard A major, also known as open A. If you're having trouble sounding it clearly:
- Practice bending your fingers at the frets up, so your palms don't touch the other strings and block the sound of the strings.
- Press firmly with fingertips. It may hurt for the first 2-3 days, but your fingers will quickly adapt.
- Make sure you are close enough to the frets. At the very least, keep your fingers 3/4 of the way from the previous fret.
Part 2 of 3: Playing the Key of A Major Trunk
Step 1. Know that the bar chord is an easy key to change, simply by adjusting its position along the neck of the guitar
The bar chord is so named because you will form a "stem" with your index finger pressing 5-6 strings together. This chord is used in many songs because it can be easily moved around the neck of the guitar to play other chords. These keys are named after the top note you played, which is also where you made the stem. Since the fifth fret on the sixth string sounds an A note, you'll start here to play your A major chord.
Step 2. Place your entire index finger over all the strings at the fifth fret
This is the trunk. Start with the top end of your index finger pressing against the fifth fret on the sixth string (the thickest string) at the top of the neck of the guitar. Place your middle and bottom fingers on top of each string so that they all sound as if you were playing on the fifth fret.
Pluck each string to practice your rod forming skills. The resulting tone must be clear before you can practice on to the next section
Step 3. Keep the sixth string pressed against the shaft of your index finger
The fifth fret on this string sounds the A note and forms the base of your chord. Keep it pressed with your index finger and move to the next string.
Step 4. Place your ring finger on the seventh fret on the fifth string
Keep your stem strong and place your ring finger on the seventh fret, above the fifth string. The sound is an E note.
Step 5. Place your little finger on the seventh fret on the fourth string
You should stretch your little finger to reach the seventh fret, just above your ring finger. The resulting tone is an A tone.
- Place your middle finger on the sixth fret on the third string. The last note you should sound is C#, which is one fret away from your stem, on the third string.
- If you've ever played an open E key, you're probably aware that it's in the same shape as the position of your fingers on a bar A key. This is why this shape is often referred to as the "E bar key shape."
Step 6. Keep the first and second strings pressed with your index finger on the fifth fret
You have to practice often and strengthen your fingers. You have to press the bottom two strings with your index finger firmly enough to make it sound at the fifth fret. Don't worry if you can't do this at first, because your hands will adapt quickly.
Step 7. Sound all the strings
You can play all notes in the chord shape of the E, so this shape is versatile, as you can move it along the neck of the guitar. For more fun songs, like punk, you can adapt the chords you play to make them go faster. Do this by playing only the top three strings (sixth, fifth, fourth). This chord is known as a "power chord."
Part 3 of 3: Playing Other Variations (Am, A7, and Am7)
Step 1. Learn how to play the key of A minor
This key is a bit more dark, sad, but just as easy to play. The variations change depending on whether you are playing open key or bars. The key of A minor is usually abbreviated as "Am."
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Am lock open:
The shape is the same as that used in the A bar key, except that you don't need to use your index finger to make the bar. Remember that the first string is the thinnest string at the bottom.
- First string -- open.
- Second string -- index finger on the first fret.
- Third string -- ring finger on the second fret.
- Fourth string -- middle finger on the second fret.
- Fifth string -- open.
- Sixth string -- open.
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Trunk Am Lock:
Start in the key of A major bar and lift your middle finger, leaving the bar on the fifth fret and two fingers on the seventh fret.
- The first string -- forms the rod at the fifth fret.
- Second string -- ring finger on the seventh fret.
- Third string -- little finger on the seventh fret.
- Fourth string -- forms the rod at the fifth fret.
- Fifth string -- forms the rod at the fifth fret.
- Sixth string -- forms the rod at the fifth fret.
Step 2. Learn how to play the seventh key of A
These seventh chords are rich in melody and soul, and are used in a wide variety of rock, blues, and R&B songs. These locks are also easily adapted from open locks and bar locks. It is often written with the code "A7."
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A7 key unlock:
Similar to a normal A major, but this time you have to keep the third string open.
- First string -- open.
- Second string -- ring finger on the second fret.
- Third string -- open.
- Fourth string -- index finger on the second fret.
- Fifth string -- open.
- Sixth string -- open.
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Key A7 stem:
Similar to the key of A major stem. Lift the little finger and leave the stem on the fifth fret, press the sixth fret with the middle finger, and place the ring finger on the seventh fret.
- The first string -- forms the rod at the fifth fret.
- Second string -- ring finger on the seventh fret.
- Third string -- forms the rod at the fifth fret.
- Fourth string -- middle finger on the sixth fret.
- Fifth string -- forms the rod at the fifth fret.
- Sixth string -- forms the rod at the fifth fret.
Step 3. Learn how to play the key of A minor 7
This chord is dark, soulful, and sad, and is usually used in slower melodious songs. Since you don't have to worry too much about the frets here, this chord is pretty easy to play. This key is often written with the code "Am7."
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Am7 lock unlocked:
The structure is the same as a bar A7 chord, only one string lower and moving closer to the head of the guitar.
- First string -- open.
- Second string -- middle finger on the second fret.
- Third string -- open.
- Fourth string -- index finger on the first fret.
- Fifth string -- open.
- Sixth string -- open.
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Am7 rod lock:
Start in the key of A major the bar and lift your little finger and middle finger, leaving the bar on the fifth fret and ring finger on the seventh fret.
- The first string -- forms the rod at the fifth fret.
- Second string -- ring finger on the seventh fret.
- Third string -- forms the rod at the fifth fret.
- Fourth string -- forms the rod at the fifth fret.
- Fifth string -- forms the rod at the fifth fret.
- Sixth string -- forms the rod at the fifth fret.
Step 4. Know that the unlocked A key is actually a hidden trunk lock
However, you don't have to form a bar to squeeze all the strings, as they are already in the open position. This means that you can play the version at a higher pitch, at the neck of the guitar closer to the body of the guitar. At the twelfth fret, all the open notes repeat, so the first string/twelfth fret is an E note, the second string/twelfth fret is a B note, the third string/twelfth fret is a G note, and so on. So, by forming a bar with your index finger on the twelfth fret and using your ring finger to form a bar on the fourteenth fret, you get a clear, high-pitched A major chord.
- You may have to sacrifice an E on the first string at the twelfth fret to be successful, because it's hard to make rods on the second, third, and fourth strings while leaving the first string alone.
- All variations of the open A key also apply, as long as you add 12 frets to each chart (open string, or zero fret → twelfth fret, second string → fourteenth fret, etc.).
Tips
- Remembering the names of the strings and their location will help you learn the chords much more quickly, regardless of the fret location.
- Practice hard and your skills will soon be perfect as you wish.
