A Piano Chords
Every A chord a keyboard or piano player needs — each shown three ways: the exact keys to press (root circled), a photo of the chord under real hands, and standard staff notation. 10 chords in this key.
Hear any of these chords and try every key on the interactive Chord Finder.
A — Major
A · C♯ · E
The A chord is built from the root, a major third, and a perfect fifth — A, C♯, E. Bright and stable — the first chord most pianists learn and the anchor of countless songs.
Am — Minor
A · C · E
The Am chord is built from the root, a minor third, and a perfect fifth — A, C, E. Darker and more wistful than major, and just as common across every style.
Aaug — Augmented
A · C♯ · E♯
The Aaug chord is built from the root, a major third, and a raised fifth — A, C♯, E♯. Restless and dreamlike; often a stepping-stone between two ordinary chords.
Asus4 — Suspended fourth
A · D · E
The Asus4 chord is built from the root, a perfect fourth, and a perfect fifth (the fourth replaces the third) — A, D, E. Open and suspended — it leans forward and loves to resolve to the plain major chord.
Amaj7 — Major seventh
A · C♯ · E · G♯
The Amaj7 chord is built from a major triad plus a major seventh — A, C♯, E, G♯. Lush, warm and jazzy — the classic "dreamy" piano sound.
A7 — Dominant seventh
A · C♯ · E · G
The A7 chord is built from a major triad plus a minor seventh — A, C♯, E, G. Bluesy and unresolved; the workhorse of blues, gospel and jazz turnarounds.
Am7 — Minor seventh
A · C · E · G
The Am7 chord is built from a minor triad plus a minor seventh — A, C, E, G. Mellow and smooth — the backbone of soul, R&B and jazz comping.
Am7b5 — Half-diminished (m7♭5)
A · C · E♭ · G
The Am7b5 chord is built from a diminished triad plus a minor seventh — A, C, E♭, G. Also called half-diminished; most often the "ii" chord that opens a minor ii–V–i.
Adim7 — Diminished seventh
A · C · E♭ · G♭
The Adim7 chord is built from four notes stacked in minor thirds — A, C, E♭, G♭. Maximally tense and perfectly symmetrical — a favourite for passing and leading between chords.
Am6 — Minor sixth
A · C · E · F♯
The Am6 chord is built from a minor triad plus a major sixth — A, C, E, F♯. Moody and sophisticated — a staple of jazz standards.