The notes of the A Major Scale are A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#.

The Chords in the A Major scale are:

MajorMinorMinorMajorMajorMinorDim
IiiiiiIVViiVII*
ABmC#mDEF#mG#*

A Major Scale – All Across the Neck

A Major Scale

You should know where you can play the A Major scale on your guitar. I have highlighted the 5 positions below where you could play it. Please note that some of these patterns will repeat beyond the 12th fret. Start each scale on the root note.

A Major Scale – Position 1
This pattern covers two octaves. 

A Major Position 1

A Major Scale – Position 2

A Major Position 2

A Major Scale – Position 3

A Major Position 3

A Major Scale – Position 4

A Major Position 4

A Major Scale – Position 5
This pattern covers two octaves. 

A Major Position 5

Try the following when playing this scale:

Use a metronome – start very slowly.
Play cleanly – Focus on fingering every note cleanly.
Alternate pick – Alternate between up and down. Play quarter notes and then eighth notes.
Down pick all notes – Play quarter notes and then eighth notes.
Triplets – Alternate pick 3 notes for each beat.
16th notes – Alternate pick 4 notes for each beat.
Fingerpick – Use just your fingers to pick. Thumb plays the top 3 strings, Index, Middle and Ring fingers play the bottom strings respectively. Thumb, index, middle and ring are usually indicated by the initials P, I, M, A.
Alternate Fingerpick – Alternate Index & Middle fingers to play each note of the scale.
Use hammer on’s and pull off’s – Can you play each one without picking?
Speed up – As you feel more comfortable, try to increase the metronome speed.
Turn off metronome – Play the exercises but name each note that you play (without looking at the diagrams). Go as slow as you like.
Name the notes – Play exercises and name only the root notes (without looking at the diagrams).
Different positions – Do all the exercises and picking variations for each position.

Explore More

A Minor Chord

Below is the chord diagram for the A Minor chord in the 1st position. A – RootC – Flat 3rdE – 5th When played on guitar the notes are in

Arpeggios 2

Major Arpeggios A Major Arpeggio – Root Inversion A Major Arpeggio – Root Inversion A Major Arpeggio – First Inversion A Major Arpeggio – First Inversion A Major Arpeggio –

Finger Picking – Alternating Bass

Let’s focus on alternating our bass line on the lowest strings. Use the metronome and play a quarter note one note on each beat. Count aloud as you play 1-2-3-4.