A major contains A–C#–E. The intervals from the root are a major third and a perfect fifth.
Compare with A minor: C-sharp replaces C while A and E stay the same. The sharp is the chord’s third, so calling it D-flat would hide the stacked-third spelling.
The diagrams keep the chord’s spelling while changing which chord tone is lowest. Read the bass note under each position, then compare the note order. Finger numbers are shown only where the exact example has a source; no hand shape is prescribed for the remaining voicings.
| Position | Symbol | Notes, low to high | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root position, current selection | A | A4–C#5–E5 | A4 |
| First inversion, current selection | A/C# | C#4–E4–A4 | C#4 |
| Second inversion, current selection | A/E | E4–A4–C#5 | E4 |
Common names: A, A major, Amaj.
Intervals from the root: perfect unison, major third, perfect fifth.
Chord tones: A–C#–E · Formula: 1, 3, 5
Dots mark the notes to play. C4 is middle C. Numbers identify octaves, not fingers.