The A chord is one of the most commonly used chords for guitar players. Songs in the key of A, E, and D mostly feature the A major chord. However, songs in the other keys also make use of the A chord. That being said, this remains one of the first chords every guitar player must learn. See also, A Major Scale Guitar
Although playing an A chord on the guitar is relatively straightforward (compared to chords such as the F and B chord), it can appear to be hard to learn when first starting to learn to play the guitar. With a little guidance and practice, anyone can be playing this chord on the guitar within a week.
Follow These Steps before Playing the A Guitar Chord
Following these simple tips will go a long way in making the A chord easier for you to play.
- Compressing your fingers together as much as possible is the first step to playing this chord. Try to turn your finger into a single block that you can quickly move around.
- Only your fingertips should be used for this chord. This means the very ends of your fingers. -the part that is just below your fingernails.
- Avoid using the ‘pads’ of your fingers. The ‘pads’ are where your fingerprints are. Your fingertips must contact the fretboard at a 90-degree angle.
A Major Chord Notes and Intervals
The A chord is a major triad (a three-note chord). In music, triads (both major and minor) are formed by stacking 3rds together. That means putting the root, the third, and the fifth note of a scale together. Following this rule, the A guitar chord notes are A, C#, and E. If you need a more general review, visit all the guitar string notes
The note ‘A’ is obviously the root, and the note ‘C#’ is the third. ‘E’ is the fifth note on the scale of A major. From ‘A’ to ‘C#’ is an interval of a major third (M3). Also, ‘A’ to ‘E’ is an interval of a perfect fifth (P5). Lastly, From ‘C#’ to ‘E’ is an interval of a minor third; thus, the reason for the phrase ‘stacking 3rds together.’
It is not a requirement to know the notes and intervals of guitar chords to play guitar. It is amazing how many guitar players do not know. However, it is beneficial to know what notes make up a guitar chord in the long run. Knowing the notes and the notes on the guitar’s neck will help you create different shapes of chords on the guitar.
How to play the A Chord
Let’s look at three ways to play the open position A major chord.
The first and most common way to play the chord is to:
- Place your second finger on the fourth string (D), second fret. This gives you the E note of the chord.
- Place your third finger on the third string (G), second fret. This gives you the A note of the chord.
- Place your fourth finger (pinky) on the second string (B), second fret. This gives you the C# note of the chord.
- Keep the fifth string (A) and first string (high ‘E’) open. When you strum this chord, be sure to mute the sixth string (low ‘E’).
Your second, third, and fourth fingers will line up in a row on the second fret. This is the most common way to play the chord and provides many options for moving your fingers to other chords – which we will discuss later.
The second most common way to play the chord is to place your first finger across the fourth, third, and second strings in a barre chord fashion. Many rock and blues guitarists use this variation to throw in some blues licks with the chords. It is easy to play but maybe more difficult for switching between open chords.
The third way to play the A chord is to:
- Place your first finger on the second fret of the fourth string (D). This gives you the note ‘E.’
- Place your second finger on the second fret of the third string (G). This gives you the A note of the chord. F
- Finally, place your third finger on the second fret of the fourth string (B) string. This gives you the note C#.
This third variation fingering is slightly different from the first variation, but it is not common. It can be more difficult to switch between chords. However, it is up to you how you want to play the chord – if it sounds good, it is right!
How to Play the A Barre Chord (E-Shape)
Anyone can learn to play a barre chord on the guitar. It looks hard at first, but it just takes a little bit of practice. Playing the A Barre chord is harder than the open position chord, but it is an important chord to learn.
- To play this, slide up to the fifth fret of your guitar, use your first finger to barre all the strings on the fifth fret. This means that you will hold all the strings down on the fifth fret with your first finger.
- Place your second finger on the third string, sixth fret.
- Then, place your third finger on the fourth string on the seventh fret.
- Lastly, place your fourth finger (pinky) on the fifth string, seventh fret.
Looking at this chord, you will see that your second, third, and fourth fingers are merely forming a chord shape that looks like E major. This is the reason it is called the E shape of the A chord.
If this is the first time you have tried to play a barre chord, your hand will struggle to hold down all of the fifth fret’s strings. Don’t worry about it. Keep working at it each day for seven to ten days, and you get the hang of it.
The A barre chord has a great powerful sound when you play it on an electric guitar. You will have fun with it!