music theory
Note, Scale, Chord… explained simply
music theory
Note, Scale, Chord… explained simply

A major: Key Signature, Scale and Chords

Circle of fifths with A major (3 ♯): chords of the key highlighted on the wheel

A major has 3 ♯ (F#, C#, G#) in its key signature.

The A major scale is: A B C# D E F# G# A.

The diatonic chords are A (I), Bm (ii), C#m (iii), D (IV), E (V), F#m (vi) and G#dim (vii°). The main functions are A (tonic), D (subdominant) and E (dominant).

The relative minor is F# minor. In the circle of fifths, D major (a fifth lower) and E major (a fifth higher) sit right next to A major.

A major lies well under the hand on guitar and violin, because the open A string is the tonic. Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 is in A major.

All keys at a glance

Table with key signatures and all diatonic chords. Click a key to open its own page.

Back to the overview: Interactive Circle of Fifths: Learn Key Signatures and Scales

Mnemonic for sharp keys: Good Dogs Always Eat Big Fat Cats

Mnemonic for flat keys: Fat Bears Eat Apples Daily Getting Chubby

KeyKey signatureIiiiiiIVVvivii°
C majorA minornoneCDmEmFGAmBdim
G majorE minor1 ♯F#GAmBmCDEmF#dim
D majorB minor2 ♯F#, C#DEmF#mGABmC#dim
A majorF# minor3 ♯F#, C#, G#ABmC#mDEF#mG#dim
E majorC# minor4 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#EF#mG#mABC#mD#dim
B majorG# minor5 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#BC#mD#mEF#G#mA#dim
F# majorD# minor6 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#F#G#mA#mBC#D#mE#dim
C# majorA# minor7 ♯F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#C#D#mE#mF#G#A#mB#dim
F majorD minor1 ♭BbFGmAmBbCDmEdim
Bb majorG minor2 ♭Bb, EbBbCmDmEbFGmAdim
Eb majorC minor3 ♭Bb, Eb, AbEbFmGmAbBbCmDdim
Ab majorF minor4 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, DbAbBbmCmDbEbFmGdim
Db majorBb minor5 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, GbDbEbmFmGbAbBbmCdim
Gb majorEb minor6 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, CbGbAbmBbmCbDbEbmFdim
Cb majorAb minor7 ♭Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, FbCbDbmEbmFbGbAbmBbdim

Free Online Exercises

Interactive carousel with 4 music theory exercises. Use the arrow keys or swipe to move between the exercises.