How to Play an A Major Chord on the Piano

The key to learning how to play an A major chord, or triad, is finding the first, third and fifth notes of the A major scale and playing them simultaneously. When playing major chords in the root position, first inversion and second inversion, you must keep your hands rounded and use your fingertips to press the piano keys.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Right Hand

1. Position your thumb over an A key on the piano keyboard.

2. Find the second note of the root position chord by moving up a major third to C# and placing your middle finger on that key.

3. Rest your little finger on E, which is a perfect fifth above A.

4. Press down on all three keys together to play an A major triad in root position.

5. Adjust your fingering to play the first inversion of the A major triad. Put your thumb on C#, your index finger on E and your little finger on A an octave higher than the A key used in the root position. Press all three keys down together.

6. Move your thumb to E to start positioning your hand for the second inversion of the A major triad. Put your middle finger on A and your little finger on C# an octave higher than the C# key used in the root position chord.

Left Hand

7. Place your little finger over an A key on the piano keyboard.

8. Move up a major third from the root and place your middle finger over C#.

9. Find E, the fifth note of the A major scale and a perfect fifth from A. Place your thumb over E.

10. Play the root position of the A major triad by pressing together on all three keys.

11. Re-position your hand to play the first inversion of the A major triad. Place your little finger on C#, your middle finger on E and your thumb on A an octave higher than your starting note. Press all three keys down together.

12. Create the second inversion of the A major triad by putting your little finger on E, your index finger on A and your thumb on the C# an octave higher than in the root position chord. Press all three keys down together to play.

Tips & Warnings

• It is helpful to play major scales, such as the A major scale, prior to practicing major chords. By doing this, you can see where the sharps and flats fall in the scale and whether they will be included in the chords.