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Guitar Chords in the Key of A

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The Key of A Major: Chords based on the A Major Scale: A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G# and A

Notice that the key of A Major has three sharps. C#, F# and G#

Note: It is recommended that you learn the basic chords in the key of C Major first, before learning any of the other keys, since the page for the key of C teaches the basic theory behind chord construction. More theory is included in the key of G lesson also. The rest of the lessons operate under the assumption that you already understand the theory presented in the first two lessons.

Chart 1: The Basic chords in the key of A

Chord:  A Major Numeric: X02220 Fingering: X02340
Chord:  B Minor Numeric: X24432 Fingering: X13421    2nd Fret is barred
Chord:  C# Minor Numeric: X46654 Fingering: X13421    4th Fret is barred
Chord:  D Major Numeric: XX0232 Fingering: XX0132
Chord:  E Major Numeric: 022100 Fingering: 023100
Chord:  F# Minor Numeric: 244222 Fingering: 134111    2nd Fret is barred
Chord:  E 7th Numeric: 020100 Fingering: 020100

You have some substitute chords below in the next chart. The same rules apply in this key that you have already applied from the previous keys.

Chart 2: Some substitute chords for the key of A

Chord:  A Major 7th Numeric: X02120 Fingering: X02130
Chord:  B Minor 7th Numeric: X24232 Fingering: X13121   2nd Fret is barred
Chord:  C# Minor 7th Numeric: X46454 Fingering: X13121   4th Fret is barred
Chord:  D Major 7th Numeric: XX0222 Fingering: XX0111   2nd Fret is barred
Chord:  F# Minor 7th Numeric: 242222 Fingering: 131111   2nd Fret is barred

Now let's move on to the 9th chords.

Chart 3: More substitute chords for the key of A

Chord:  A Major 9th Numeric: X06600 Fingering: X02300
Chord:  B Minor 9th Numeric: 797779 Fingering: 131114   7th Fret is barred
Chord:  D Major 9th Numeric: X57670 Fingering: X13240
Chord:  F# Minor 9th Numeric: 242224 Fingering: 131114   2nd Fret is barred
Chord:  E 9th Numeric: 020102 Fingering: 020103

Okay, let's move on to the suspended 2nd and suspended 4th chords.

Chart 4: Even more substitute chords for the key of A

Chord: F# Suspended  2nd Numeric: XX4674 Fingering: XX1341   4th Fret is barred
Chord: F# Suspended  4th Numeric: 244422 Fingering: 123411   2nd Fret is barred
Chord: B Suspended  2nd Numeric: X24422 Fingering: X13411   2nd Fret is barred
Chord: B Suspended  4th Numeric: X24452 Fingering: X12341   2nd Fret is barred
Chord: C# Suspended  4th Numeric: X46674 Fingering: X12341   4th Fret is barred

The Key of F# Minor:       Chords based on the F# Harmonic Minor Scale

The relative minor key to the Key of A is F# Minor. The following chords in Chart 5 are based on the F# Harmonic Minor Scale. The F# Harmonic Minor Scale is comprised of the following notes: F#, G#, A, B, C#, D, E# and F#

Notice how it is indicated that the E note is sharp. It is in reality the same as an F note. However, sometimes it may be indicated as a sharpened E when written on a staff, as it would be in this case.
 

Chart 5: The basic chords in the key of F# Minor

Chord:  F# Minor Numeric: 244222 Fingering: 134111    2nd Fret is barred
Chord:  G# Diminished Numeric: XX0101 Fingering: XX0102
Chord:  A Augmented Numeric: X03220 Fingering: X03120
Chord:  B Minor Numeric: X24432 Fingering: X13421    2nd Fret is barred
Chord:  C# Major Numeric: X46664 Fingering: X12341   4th Fret is barred
Chord:  D Major Numeric: XX0232 Fingering: XX0132
Chord:  E# (F) Diminished Numeric: XX3434 Fingering: XX1314   3rd Fret is barred

The 6th Chord:

Now for the 6th chords.

Chart 6: Major and Minor 6th chords

Chord:  A 6th Numeric: X02222 Fingering: X01111   2nd Fret is barred
Chord:  B Minor 6th Numeric: XX6777 Fingering: XX1333   7th Fret is barred
Chord:  D 6th Numeric: XX0202 Fingering: XX0102
Chord:  E 6th Numeric: 022120 Fingering: 023140

The Next Key: Key of Eb

Previous Key: Key of Bb

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