A Major Scale

This scale reference contains the notes, formula, structure, positions, chords, and modes for the A Major scale on guitar. For an in-depth lesson on the major scale, please see Major Scale Patterns, Positions and Theory.

Notes of A Major Scale

The A Major scale contains 4 sharps and 3 natural notes.

A – B – C# – D – E – F# – G#

Scale Formula

The scale formula for the A Major scale is:

Root – Major 2nd – Major 3rd – Perfect 4th – Perfect 5th – Major 6th – Major 7th

IntervalsRootMajor 2ndMajor 3rdPerfect 4thPerfect 5thMajor 6thMajor 7th
NotesABC#DEF#G#

Scale Structure

A Major follows the major scale structure of whole and half step intervals:

W W H W W W H

A major scale whole step half step formula diagram

Scale Positions

The diagrams below outline the 5 CAGED positions for the A Major scale on the guitar.

Position 1

A major scale position 1 diagram

Position 2

A major scale position 2 diagram

Position 3

A major scale position 3 diagram

Position 4

A major scale position 4 diagram

Position 5

A major scale position 5 diagram

Chords in the Key of A Major

When you harmonize the A Major scale you get the following chords:

DegreeIiiiiiIVVvivii°
ChordABmC#mDEF#mG#dim
Chord NotesA – C# – EB – D – F#C# – E – G#D – F# – AE – G# – BF# – A – C#G# – B – D

Relative and Parallel Scales

Relative Minor of A Major: F sharp minor | F#m – G#dim – A – Bm – C#m – D – E

Parallel Minor of A Major: A minor | Am – Bdim – C – Dm – Em – F – G

Modes

The following are the modes of A Major:

  • A Ionian (Major)
  • B Dorian (Minor)
  • C# Phrygian (Minor)
  • D Lydian (Major)
  • E Mixolydian (Major)
  • F# Aeolian (Minor)
  • G# Locrian (Minor)