About the A chord
A is a A major chord built from A, C#, E. Bright and stable: the foundation of most songs. Open, happy, and resolved.
Root
A
Quality
Major
Chord tones
A C# E
Shapes
3 · beginner
Notes & intervals
Every major chord stacks the same intervals on its root. In A, that gives you:
A
root1
Home base. The root names the chord, and every other note is measured from it.
C#
major third3
The major third is the smile in the chord: this note makes it sound happy.
E
perfect fifth5
The fifth adds weight and strength behind the root.
A appears naturally in the keys of D major, E major, A major.
Used in genres
Major chords show up all over the progression catalog, most of all in these styles:
Character & mood
BrightBright and stable: the foundation of most songs. Open, happy, and resolved.