My Chord Finder
GUITAR · E A E A C# E
Open A tuning chords
Open A tuning is E A E A C# E from the low string to the high string. Strum all six open strings and you hear an A major chord. Pick a root and chord type below to see the frets, the note each string sounds, and hear the shape.
OPEN A CHORD LIBRARY
A major / E0 0 0 0 0 0
Open A · E2 A2 E3 A3 C#4 E4
Low E is the fifth; the open strings form A major.
Each choice is checked against the Open A strings. Fret codes run low to high; 0 means open and X means muted.
Finger row: suggested finger — 1 index · 2 middle · 3 ring · 4 pinky; – not fretted. A bar means one finger holds several strings.
SELECTED SHAPE
A major / E
Open A · 0 0 0 0 0 0
| String | Fret | Note | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 · E | O | E2 | Perfect fifth |
| 5 · A | O | A2 | Root |
| 4 · E | O | E3 | Perfect fifth |
| 3 · A | O | A3 | Root |
| 2 · C# | O | C#4 | Major third |
| 1 · E | O | E4 | Perfect fifth |
Tune from standard to Open A
Three strings go up a whole step and three stay where they are. Raising strings adds tension, so tune up slowly and check the neck after a few minutes. If you would rather not raise any string, tune to Open G and put a capo at fret 2: every shape on this page then works the same way.
| String | Standard | Open A | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | E2 | E2 | no change |
| 5 | A2 | A2 | no change |
| 4 | D3 | E3 | up 2 |
| 3 | G3 | A3 | up 2 |
| 2 | B3 | C#4 | up 2 |
| 1 | E4 | E4 | no change |
Play A, D and E with one finger
The open strings already form A major, so one finger laid across all six strings moves that chord up the neck. Fret 5 gives D (A D A D F# A) and fret 7 gives E (B E B E G# B). That is the I, IV and V of A. Tap each chord, then play the three in a row.
Minor and seventh chords need a different shape
A straight barre only makes major chords, because the major 3rd (C# in A) sits on string 2. For a minor or seventh chord, one or two strings have to move off the barre. The shapes below come from the chord tool above; tap a row to load it there.
| Chord | Frets (low → high) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 0 0 3 3 0 | E2 · A2 · E3 · C4 · E4 · E4 | |
| 1 0 1 0 1 1 | F2 · A2 · F3 · A3 · D4 · F4 | |
| 0 0 0 0 0 3 | E2 · A2 · E3 · A3 · C#4 · G4 | |
| 5 4 5 5 5 5 | A2 · C#3 · A3 · D4 · F#4 · A4 |
Open A chord questions
What notes are in Open A tuning?
E A E A C# E, low to high (E2 A2 E3 A3 C#4 E4). Only three note names appear: A, C# and E, the notes of an A major chord.
Is Open A the same as Open G with a capo?
Yes for the shapes. Open A is Open G (D G D G B D) with every string a whole step higher, so a capo at fret 2 in Open G gives the same notes as open strings in Open A.
Is Open A tuning bad for the guitar?
Three strings go up a whole step, so total string tension rises. Tune up slowly; if the strings feel too tight, use Open G with a capo at fret 2 instead.
How is Open A different from Open E?
Open E is E B E G# B E and its open strum is E major. Open A keeps the low E and A strings from standard, and its open strum is A major.
Can I use a capo in Open A?
Yes. A capo at fret 2 turns the open strum into B major, at fret 3 into C. See the capo transpose chart for the names at each fret.