A Major
A major has 3 sharps. Its relative minor is F#m and its parallel key is Am. This page lists the signature, scale notes, diatonic chords, and go-to progressions, with tools that play the sound.
Key signature
Sharps: 3 (Notes: F#, C#, G#)
Scale notes
The notes that make up this scale, shown with their degrees.
| Degree | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | A | B | C# | D | E | F# | G# |
Diatonic chords
The chords that belong to this key, color-coded by role: T (tonic), SD (subdominant), D (dominant).
Triads
| Degree | Chord | Notes | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ⅰ | A | A C# E | T |
| Ⅱm | Bm | B D F# | SD |
| Ⅲm | C#m | C# E G# | T |
| Ⅳ | D | D F# A | SD |
| Ⅴ | E | E G# B | D |
| Ⅵm | F#m | F# A C# | T |
| Ⅶdim | G#dim | G# B D | D |
Seventh chords
| Degree | Chord | Notes | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ⅰmaj7 | Amaj7 | A C# E G# | T |
| Ⅱm7 | Bm7 | B D F# A | SD |
| Ⅲm7 | C#m7 | C# E G# B | T |
| Ⅳmaj7 | Dmaj7 | D F# A C# | SD |
| Ⅴ7 | E7 | E G# B D | D |
| Ⅵm7 | F#m7 | F# A C# E | T |
| Ⅶm7b5 | G#m7b5 | G# B D Gb | D |
Related keys
Go-to progressions in this key
Common progressions written out with the real chord names for this key. Play them in the progression player to hear them.
| Progression | Chords | |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Road Progression | D - E - C#m - F#m | ▶ Play in player |
| Canon Progression | A - E - F#m - C#m - D - A - D - E | ▶ Play in player |
| Komuro Progression | F#m - D - E - A | ▶ Play in player |
Hear it with the tools
Links that open each tool preset to this key.
Related articles
Articles for anyone who wants to understand keys and signatures more deeply.