A Major Ukulele Chord
Bright and punchy, A major is made of A, C# and E. One of the easiest two-finger chords, it is a favorite in folk, rock, and Hawaiian music and resolves naturally from its dominant, E.
Also known as
- A
- AM
- A M
- Amaj
- A maj
- Amajor
- A major
How to Play This Chord
Position your fingers on the fretboard as shown in the diagram. The vertical lines represent the four strings, from the top G string (left) to the A string (right), and the horizontal lines are the frets. Numbers inside the dots indicate which finger to use: 1 (index), 2 (middle), 3 (ring), 4 (pinky). An X means don't play that string; an O means play it open. A bar spanning multiple strings means one finger presses across all of them at once — this is known as a barre chord.
Tips & Tricks
Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the G string and your index on the 1st fret of the C string, leaving the E and A strings open. Curl both fingers so they clear the open E and A strings, and check that your middle finger is not leaning against the C string. This compact shape is a great early win for new players.