Guitar A chord diagram
A is one of the essential Guitar chords. On Chordier, this chord appears in 1,502 different songs. On this page, you can find how to play A, alternative positions, and core chord transitions.
To play A, follow these steps: Place index finger on D string fret 2. Place middle finger on G string fret 2. Place ring finger on B string fret 2.
Tips
- Place D string with your index finger and G string with your middle finger with a vertical finger angle so nearby strings ring clearly without buzz.
- On D string, press fret 2 with your index finger close to the fret wire (not on top) for a cleaner tone.
- Mute unused strings to avoid unwanted ringing.
- To play A cleanly, every involved string should ring clearly. Make sure both fretted strings (D string, G string, and B string) and open strings sound clean. After shaping the chord, pluck each string one by one and confirm there is no muted or buzzing note.
Chord Theory
- Notes
- A - C# - E
- Intervals
- 1 - 3 - 5
- Chord Type
- Major — bright and happy character
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Voicings
- 7
Alternative Positions
Different ways to play A on the fretboard, from beginner-friendly to advanced voicings.
Guitar A chord diagram5-7-7-6-5-5
Guitar A chord diagramx-4-2-2-2-5
Guitar A chord diagramx-4-2-2-5-5
Guitar A chord diagram5-x-2-2-2-5
Easy Transition Chords
These chords have similar finger positions to A, making them ideal for practice transitions.
1. A → A7 chord transition
To move from A to A7, follow these steps:
- While playing A, lift your ring finger from B string fret 2.
- Keep index finger on D string fret 2.
- Lift your middle finger from G string fret 2 and place it on B string fret 2.
2. A → D#dim | E♭dim chord transition
To move from A to D#dim | E♭dim, follow these steps:
- Slide your index finger on D string from fret 2 to fret 1.
- Keep middle finger on G string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from B string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
3. A → A5 chord transition
To move from A to A5, follow these steps:
- While playing A, first lift your middle finger and ring finger.
- Keep index finger on D string fret 2.
4. A → Amaj7 chord transition
To move from A to Amaj7, follow these steps:
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
- Keep ring finger on B string fret 2.
5. A → Asus2 chord transition
To move from A to Asus2, follow these steps:
- While playing A, lift your index finger from D string fret 2.
- Lift your middle finger from G string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from B string fret 2 to G string fret 2.
6. A → C#m/A | D♭m/A chord transition
To move from A to C#m/A | D♭m/A, follow these steps:
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
- Keep ring finger on B string fret 2.
Most Common Transitions
The most frequent chord transitions from A across songs on this site.
1. A → D chord transition
To move from A to D, follow these steps:
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to E string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger on B string from fret 2 to fret 3.
On Chordier, songs containing A use the transition to D at 28.9%. You can practice this transition in 818 different songs.
2. A → G chord transition
To move from A to G, follow these steps:
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to E string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 3.
On Chordier, songs containing A use the transition to G at 13.2%. You can practice this transition in 426 different songs.
3. A → E chord transition
To move from A to E, follow these steps:
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on G string fret 1.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to A string fret 2.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 2.
On Chordier, songs containing A use the transition to E at 12.3%. You can practice this transition in 292 different songs.
4. A → Bm chord transition
To move from A to Bm, follow these steps:
- Lift your index finger from D string fret 2 and place it on E string fret 2.
- Slide your middle finger from G string fret 2 to B string fret 3.
- Lift your ring finger from B string fret 2 and place it on D string fret 4.
- Place pinky on G string fret 4.
On Chordier, songs containing A use the transition to Bm at 8.1%. You can practice this transition in 289 different songs.
5. A → Em chord transition
To move from A to Em, follow these steps:
- While playing A, lift your index finger from D string fret 2.
- Lift your middle finger from G string fret 2 and place it on A string fret 2.
- Slide your ring finger from B string fret 2 to D string fret 2.
On Chordier, songs containing A use the transition to Em at 6.5%. You can practice this transition in 185 different songs.
Compatible Scales
These scales include A and highlight the companion chords that fit the same key.
Songs Using A Chord
Popular songs that feature the A chord, perfect for practice.
Songs in Original Key of A
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A suitable for beginners on Guitar?
A works well for beginner-level Guitar practice. It uses a 1-fret reach. Focus on finger placement first, then increase speed.
Any beginner-friendly alternative for A?
A has a more accessible version for Guitar players. The alternative voicing uses fingering 5-x-2-2-2-5. It is a practical bridge between beginner and full voicings.
Which chords pair well with A on Guitar?
A works well with D and G on Guitar. Based on our catalog data, transitions from A to D account for 28.9% (6,880 total changes in 818 songs), and transitions to G account for 13.2% (3,151 total changes in 426 songs).
Which songs include A?
Ariana Grande - Sweetener Chords is one of 8 songs featuring the A chord.