A major · Ukulele
A Chord on Ukulele
The A chord (A major) is built from the notes A, C# and E. The ukulele fingering for it is shown below.
Chord diagrams
Fingering
- string 4 (G): fret 2 — middle finger
- string 3 (C): fret 1 — index finger
- string 2 (E): played open
- string 1 (A): played open
Notes in this chord
- A
- C♯
- E
Degrees: 1 – 3 – 5
How to play
A can be played with open strings on ukulele, which makes it an accessible shape for beginners. Strings marked ○ ring open, while strings marked ✕ are muted.
Theory behind the chord
Major chords sound bright and settled. They are built from a root, a major third and a perfect fifth, and they carry most of the resolution points in pop, rock and folk. On A this structure sits on the root A, so the degrees 1 – 3 – 5 map onto A, C# and E. A is the I chord in the key of A major, the V chord in E major and the IV chord in D major. Its relative minor is F#m, which shares the same set of notes. The most common progression it appears in is A – F#m – D – E.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the A chord?
- A contains the notes A, C# and E. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – 3 – 5.
- How many ways can you play A?
- Minory lists a single ukulele fingering for A.
- Is the A chord hard to play?
- Not really. The open position of A uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.
Practise A on your phone
Minory bundles the full chord library with a tuner, metronome and repertoire notebook — and it all works offline.
