A Major Scale on Guitar: Positions & Theory
In this lesson we’re going to take a look at the A Major Scale on guitar. We’ll explore the scale formula, notes that make up the scale, chords that are found within the scale and the five positions of the A major scale. Let’s get started.
Notes of A Major Scale
The A major scale is a 7-note diatonic scale that contains four natural notes (A, B, D, E) and three sharps (C#, F#, G#):
A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G#
Intervals
All major scales share the same interval qualities. The intervals for A major are as follows:
- Root
- Major 2nd
- Major 3rd
- Perfect 4th
- Perfect 5th
- Major 6th
- Major 7th
In the diagram below we see the relationship between the notes and intervals of the scale.
Scale Structure
All major scales are created with a set pattern of whole steps and half steps between the notes/intervals of the scale, which creates the interval qualities of the scale. The formula of whole steps and half steps for A major are as follows:
Whole Step – Whole Step – Half Step – Whole Step – Whole Step – Whole Step – Half Step
On the guitar, a whole step is equal to 2 frets while a half step is equal to 1 fret.
Let’s take a look at it on the fretboard where it’s easier to visualize:
Starting from A, we get the following:
- From A to B is 2 frets (whole step)
- From B to C# is 2 frets (whole step)
- From C# to D is 1 fret (half step)
- From D to E is 2 frets (whole step)
- From E to F# is 2 frets (whole step)
- From F# to G# is 2 frets (whole step)
- From G# to A is 1 fret (half step)
A Major Scale Guitar Positions
The notes of the A major scale can be grouped into five moveable positions, or patterns based in the CAGED system. These patterns make it much easier to learn the scale across the entire fretboard.
Below we go through each position/pattern of the scale. For each position, three diagrams are provided showing the following notation:
- Diagram 1: Notes
- Diagram 2: Intervals
- Diagram 3: Fingerings
As you work through each position, it’s important to note the position of the root notes. This will help you visualize each position and move between them more easily, as the root note can provide an anchor point for transitioning between scale positions.
When first learning the scale, start each scale pattern on the lowest root note and play through it both ascending and descending. This will train your ear to become familiar with the sound of the interval pattern of the major scale relative to the root note.
Position 1
Position 1 of the A major scale starts with the low root on the 5th fret of string 6. Starting with this note, play each note ascending and descending, ending back on the same root note in which you start.
Make note of the root note pattern in this position. Position 1 contains 3 root notes, which are found on strings 1, 4, and 6.
Position 2
In position 2, the low root note is found on the 7th fret of string 4.
This position contains two root notes, which are found on strings 4 and 2.
Position 3
Position 3 begins with the root note on fret 12 of the 5th string. The two root notes for this position are found on strings 2 and 5.
Position 4
Position 4 contains two root notes, which are located on strings 3 and 5. Begin the pattern with the root note on the 12th fret of the 5th string.
Position 5
Like position 1, position 5 has three root notes which fall on strings 1, 3, and 6. Begin this position of the scale on the root note of the 6th string.
Connecting the A Major Scale Positions
Each position of the A major scale shares common notes with the positions above and below. This means that each scale pattern is connected to the adjacent patterns. The diagram below highlights these connections.
These patterns repeat up and down the fretboard.
Building the Chords in A Major
The chords of a given scale come directly from the notes in the scale.To get the chords of the A major scale, we go note by note of the scale and build triads for each.
If you’re not familiar with triads, they are 3-note chords consisting of the root, 3rd, and 5th intervals. An easier way to look at it is we’re stacking every other note starting from the root and going to the 5th. I’d recommend the lessons on major triads, minor triads, and diminished triads to have a better understanding of how these triads are formed.
Let’s go through each note of the A major scale and stack the root, 3rd and 5th intervals to create the chords of A major.
We’ll start out by putting down all of the notes of the scale:
A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G#
A Major Chord
Starting with A as the root, if we take the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes we get the following triad:
A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G#
- A – C# – E
This gives us a root, major 3rd, and perfect 5th interval, which creates a major triad giving us the A major chord.
Bm Chord
Starting with the second note of the scale, B, as the root, if we take the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes we get the following triad:
B – C# – D – E – F# – G# – A
- B – D – F#
This gives us a root, minor 3rd, and perfect 5th interval, which creates a minor triad giving us the B minor chord.
C#m Chord
Starting with C# as the root, the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes give us the following triad:
C# – D – E – F# – G# – A – B
- C# – E – G#
This gives us a root, minor 3rd, and perfect 5th interval, which creates a minor triad giving us the C# minor chord.
D Major Chord
Starting from D we get the following triad:
D – E – F# – G# – A – B – C#
- D – F# – A
This gives us a root, major 3rd, and perfect 5th, which creates a major triad giving us the D major chord.
E Major Chord
From E, the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes give us the following:
E – F# – G# – A – B – C# – D
- E – G# – B
This gives us a root, major 3rd, and perfect 5th, which creates a major triad giving us the E major chord.
F# Minor Chord
From F#, the 1st, 3rd and 5th notes give us the following:
F# – G# – A – B – C# – D – E
- F# – A – C#
This gives us a root, minor 3rd, and perfect 5th intervals, which creates a minor triad giving us the F# minor chord.
G# Diminished Chord
Finally, from G# we get the following notes:
G# – A – B – C# – D – E – F#
- G# – B – D
This triad is a bit different in that it contains a minor 3rd and a flat 5th interval. This creates a diminished triad, giving us the G# diminished chord.
Putting it all together gives us the following chords for A major:
| Chord | A | Bm | C#m | D | E | F#m | G#dim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | A-C#-E | B-D-F# | C#-E-G# | D-F#-A | E-G#-B | F#-A-C# | G#-B-D |
Relative Minor of A Major
Every major scale has a relative minor scale, which is a minor a scale that contains all of the same notes and chords as the major. It occurs on the 6th degree of the major scale, which for A major is F#. So the relative minor for A major is F# minor.
While it contains all of the same notes and chords, it has a tonal center based around F# instead of A.
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | F# | G# | A | B | C# | D | E |
Parallel Minor of A Major
The parallel minor is the minor scale built from the same root note as the major scale. For A major, the parallel minor scale is the A minor scale.
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Major | A | B | C# | D | E | F# | G# |
| A Minor | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
Modes
The modes for A major are as follows:
- A Ionian (Major)
- B Dorian (Minor)
- C# Phrygian (Minor)
- D Lydian (Major)
- E Mixolydian (Major)
- F# Aeolian (Minor)
- G# Locrian (Minor)
Songs in the Key of A Major
Below are a few songs that are played in the key of A major.
- “I’d Rather Go Blind” – Etta James
- “I’ve Got a Feeling” – The Beatles
- “Til I Hear It From You” – Gin Blossoms
Wrap Up
In this lesson we took a deep dive into the key of A major, learning the notes, intervals, chords, scale positions and more. You can start to apply this information musically by creating simple 2-chord progressions and expand on that with 3- and 4-chord progressions.
Practice the scale until you have all five positions under your fingers. Once you have the scale positions memorized, you can begin to create your own licks to play to a backing track.
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