A major scale

The notes of the A major scale on a piano, the chords that belong to it, and how it sounds. Press play to hear it, tap a key or a chord, and download the scale as MIDI.

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A1B2C#3D4E5F#6G#7

Steps: W W H W W W H (W = whole step, H = half step)

Chords in A major

Each chord on its own page: A · Bm · C#m · D · E · F#m · G#dim

Tap a chord to hear it. For progressions you can play and download, see chord progressions in A major.

How A major sounds

Bright, settled and open. The major scale is the reference the other scales are measured against.

Used in: Pop, piano house, disco, gospel house and most uplifting music.

On the Camelot wheel, A major is 11B.

Same notes, different root: F# minor, B Dorian, C# Phrygian, D Lydian, E Mixolydian.

For the low end: the root of A major is A and the fifth is E. A kick or 808 tuned to one of them sits with the bass; the kick drum tuning chart has the frequencies.

Write chords in this scale with the chord progression generator, or a melody in the synth.

Other major scales

Play this scale with VISIONS OF TOMORROW →71 Serum 2 presets for house and techno: leads, pads, plucks, keys and basses to write in any scale. $29.

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Questions

What notes are in the A major scale?

A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#.

What chords are in A major?

A, Bm, C#m, D, E, F#m, G#dim.

What is the formula for the major scale?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7, or in steps: W W H W W W H (W is a whole step, H a half step).

Which scales have the same notes as A major?

F# minor, B Dorian, C# Phrygian, D Lydian, E Mixolydian. They use the same seven notes, starting from a different root.

What is A major on the Camelot wheel?

11B.