A major scale on guitar
The A major scale has 7 notes: A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯ and G♯. The major scale is the reference point for most Western music: bright, settled and the source of the “do re mi” sound. Every other scale on this site is easiest to understand as a change to it.
Notes in A major
- Formula
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
- Step pattern
- W – W – H – W – W – W – H
- Notes
- 7
Tap a note to hear it.
A major across the neck
Every A major note on the first 12 frets in standard tuning. Filled dots are the root, A. A good place to start: A on the low E string is at fret 5, so play the notes between frets 4 and 8 first, then move up the neck.
Intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval from A |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Root |
| 2 | B | Major 2nd |
| 3 | C♯ | Major 3rd |
| 4 | D | Perfect 4th |
| 5 | E | Perfect 5th |
| 6 | F♯ | Major 6th |
| 7 | G♯ | Major 7th |
Chords in A major
Stack every other note of the scale and you get these triads. Any of them will sound “at home” with the A major scale.
H = half step (1 fret), W = whole step (2 frets). Roman numerals: uppercase is major, lowercase is minor, ° is diminished, + is augmented.
Related scales
- Its relative minor is F♯ minor: the same seven notes, starting from the 6th note.
- Drop the 4th and 7th and you get A major pentatonic.
- Play the same notes from the 2nd note for B Dorian, or from the 5th for E Mixolydian.
Questions
What notes are in the A major scale?
A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, G♯. Its formula is 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.
Where do I start the A major scale on guitar?
A on the low E string is at fret 5, so play the notes between frets 4 and 8 first. The fretboard map on this page shows every A major note on the first 12 frets.
What scales are related to A major?
Its relative minor is F♯ minor: the same seven notes, starting from the 6th note.
More scales
Major in every key
Other scales from A