Piano chord
AA major
- A1
- C♯3
- E5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 7semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-5
How to play A on piano
- Find A: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on A, 3 on C♯, 5 on E.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on A, 3 on C♯, 1 on E.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · A – C♯ – E
1st inversion · C♯ – E – A
2nd inversion · E – A – C♯
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
A inversions
Use these 3 positions to move between chords with as little hand movement as possible. Root position starts on A; the inversions start on the other notes of the chord.
- Root positionbass: ARight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 1st inversionbass: C♯Right hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 2nd inversionbass: ERight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1
Chords that go with A
The other chords of A major, the key where A is home (I). Songs in this key move between them.
A with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays A an octave lower, the right hand plays A–C♯–E.
A on other instruments
About the A chord
To build A major, take these 3 notes from the root up: A (1), C♯ (3), E (5). A major triad: a major third and a perfect fifth over A. It is the most common chord in music and sounds bright and stable.
The keys are A – C♯ – E, counted up from A; the distance from the lowest to the highest key is 7 semitones. Any hand that reaches an octave can hold A, so it works in either hand.
In the inversions of A the root moves up and another note takes the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is C♯ (C♯–E–A). In the 2nd inversion the bass is E (E–A–C♯).
Compared with A7, A leaves out G.
You meet A in these keys: D major (V), A major (I), E major (IV), D minor (V), B minor (VII).
Questions
What notes are in the A chord?
A (A major) has 3 notes: A (1), C♯ (3), E (5).
How many inversions does A have?
A can be played in 3 positions: Root position (A–C♯–E); 1st inversion (C♯–E–A); 2nd inversion (E–A–C♯).
What is the difference between A and A7?
Compared with A7, A leaves out G.
Can I play A with one hand?
Yes. In root position A spans 7 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.