A Major Guitar Arpeggio

A Major Arpeggio — Notes and Intervals

Notes: A, C#, E

Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P

Formula: 2W-WH

Number of notes: 3

Also known as: M, ^, , maj

The A Major arpeggio contains 3 notes (A, C#, E). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this arpeggio on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.

When to Use the A Major Arpeggio

Play the A Major arpeggio whenever a A Major chord appears in a progression. Unlike scales (which include passing tones), arpeggios guarantee every note you play IS a chord tone, making your solo sound harmonically precise and intentional.

Arpeggio vs. Scale

The A Major arpeggio uses 3 notes (A, C#, E) while the full scale uses 7. The arpeggio is a subset — think of it as the skeleton of the scale. Practice alternating between the arpeggio and the full scale to develop a melodic vocabulary that mixes chord tones with passing tones.

How to Play A Major Arpeggio on Guitar

Root your A Major arpeggio at fret 5 on the 6th (low E), or alternatively at open position using open A string. With only 3 notes (A, C#, E), this arpeggio spans wide intervals across the strings — sweep picking is an efficient way to move through it cleanly. Keep your pick angle consistent and let each note ring individually.

The A Major arpeggio outlines a A major chord and works perfectly over A, Amaj7, A6 harmonies. It is a foundational arpeggio for soloing over major-key progressions and emphasizes the bright, resolved character of the major triad.

Practice Routine

Practice the A Major arpeggio in different octaves, starting low and working up. Then try displacing the octaves — play the root low, the C# an octave higher, and continue leaping. This trains your ear to hear the intervals (1P, 3M, 5P) in any register.

Guitar Tips

On guitar, practice the A Major arpeggio using string skipping — jump over a string between each note to create wider intervals. This technique produces a more pianistic, open sound compared to sweep picking and develops precise right-hand accuracy.

Related Resources

Explore A Major in Other Tunings

• A Major in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
• A Major in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
• A Major in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
• A Major in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
• A Major in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
• A Major in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
• A Major in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
• A Major in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
• A Major in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
• A Major in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
• A Major in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
• A Major in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
• A Major in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
• A Major in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)

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