Sowlea

A chord on guitar: fingering and notes

A is a major chord made of A, C♯ and E. This shape uses 5 strings in open position.

×123EADGBE
Read the diagram as if the guitar stands in front of you: thickest string on the left, the nut at the top. Numbers are fingers (1 index … 4 little), ○ means play the string open, × means don’t play it.

Where each finger goes

  1. Index finger on string 4 (D), fret 2.
  2. Middle finger on string 3 (G), fret 2.
  3. Ring finger on string 2 (B), fret 2.
  4. Let string 5 (A) and string 1 (high E) ring open.
  5. Don’t play string 6 (low E): start your strum on string 5 (A).

Notes in the chord

Formula: 1 – 3 – 5

StringFretNoteInterval
string 5 (A)openAroot
string 4 (D)2Eperfect fifth
string 3 (G)2Aroot
string 2 (B)2C♯major third
string 1 (high E)openEperfect fifth

Check that every string rings

  1. Pick the strings one at a time from string 5 (A) to string 1. Every note should ring for about a second without buzzing or going dull.
  2. A dull or muted note usually means a fingertip is leaning on the next string: arch the finger so only the tip touches.
  3. A buzzing note usually means the finger is too far from the fret wire: slide it closer without pressing harder.
  4. Strings you don’t play should stay silent: aim the strum, or touch them lightly with a free finger.

Practise: change between A and D

  1. Set the metronome to 60 BPM in 4/4 (the button below applies these settings).
  2. Strum A once on beat 1 and let it ring through beats 2, 3 and 4.
  3. During beat 4, lift your fingers and move to D so it sounds exactly on the next beat 1.
  4. Keep alternating A and D for eight bars. When three changes in a row land on the beat with every string ringing, raise the tempo by 5 BPM.

What to listen for: the new chord starts on the click of beat 1, not after it, and no string goes silent during the change.

Practise at 60 BPM

Where this chord is used

  • In D major it is the V chord.
  • In A major it is the I chord.
  • In E major it is the IV chord.
  • In B minor it is the VII chord.
  • In F♯ minor it is the III chord.
  • In C♯ minor it is the VI chord.
  • In D minor it is the V chord.

Further reading

Fingerings and explanations by Sowlea. Each shape is checked automatically: the notes it sounds in standard tuning must be exactly the notes of the chord.