Chord progressions in A major

The seven chords of A major and the progressions producers use most, all spelled out in A major. Press play to hear any of them, download the MIDI, or open one in the generator to change it.

  • Free
  • No account
  • Runs in your browser
  • Any key
  • MIDI download

The chords in A major

Notes: A B C# D E F# G# · A major scale · Relative minor: F# minor

Tap a chord to hear it. Each on its own page: A · Bm · C#m · D · E · F#m · G#dim

Pop axis

A major
AIEVF#mviDIV

I, V, vi, IV. The most used four chords in pop, and as piano stabs the sound of 90s piano house.

Open in the generator →

Sad pop

A major
F#mviDIVAIEV

vi, IV, I, V. The same four chords started on the minor one, which makes them wistful.

Open in the generator →

The fifties progression

A major
AIF#mviDIVEV

I, vi, IV, V. The doo-wop progression, still common in ballads.

Open in the generator →

Royal road

A major
DIVEVC#miiiF#mvi

IV, V, iii, vi. Huge in J-pop and anime music; it never quite settles on the tonic.

Open in the generator →

Jazz turnaround

A major
Bm7ii7E7V7Amaj7Imaj7

ii7, V7, Imaj7. The ii-V-I of jazz, used in soulful and disco-flavoured house.

Open in the generator →

Two-chord major

A major
AIDIV

I to IV. Bright and open; two chords that carry gospel house, disco and pop.

Open in the generator →

Lift to the minor

A major
DIVAIEVF#mvi

IV, I, V, vi. Ends on the minor chord, so each round sounds like it is still going somewhere. Common in modern pop and EDM.

Open in the generator →

Using these progressions

  • A major and F# minor use the same notes, so progressions from either work in the same track.
  • Keep the bass on the root of each chord and play the chords above it, the way these progressions are voiced.
  • For house and techno, try the chords as short stabs on the offbeat; for pads, hold each chord for a whole bar.

Every progression on the site, in every key, as MIDI in one zip: free MIDI chord progressions.

More chord progressions

Chord progressions by key

Play these chords with VISIONS OF TOMORROW →71 Serum 2 presets for house and techno, with pads, keys, plucks and stabs made for chords like these. $29.

Or start with the free pack: 24 sounds from all three packs, and a 25% code for the full packs a few days later.

Questions

What chords are in A major?

A, Bm, C#m, D, E, F#m, G#dim. The seventh chord, G#dim, is diminished, so most progressions leave it out.

What is the relative minor of A major?

F# minor. The two keys share every note.

What are common chord progressions in A major?

A E F#m D (pop axis); F#m D A E (sad pop); A F#m D E (the fifties progression).

More free tools

Guides