How to play A (A Major) on Bass
Diagram, notes, and audio for the A chord on bass. Free in your browser.
About A on bass
A major on bass uses the open A string as the root and the 2nd fret of the D string for the fifth (E). Like E major, A is one of the most-ergonomic bass keys because the root is an open string. The chord notes A, C#, and E are split across the bass's middle range, with the C# (major third) on the 4th fret of the A string when needed.
A is the I chord in A major (three sharps), the IV in E major, and the V in D major. On bass, A is one of the most common dominant chords because so many pop and rock songs sit in D — every D-key bass line eventually walks through A on its way back to the tonic. The 12-bar blues in A is also extremely common, putting A at the centre of the bass's working repertoire.
Walking bass lines in A major often run open A → 2nd fret D (E) → 4th fret D (F#) → 5th fret D (G — flat 7) → 7th fret D (A octave) — a classic root-fifth-sixth-seventh-octave run that fits country shuffles, swing tunes, and pop ballads alike. Practising this run is a foundational beginner exercise that teaches both technique and ear training simultaneously.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is A on the bass guitar?
- The open A string is the lowest A. There's another A on the 5th fret of the E string and yet another on the 7th fret of the D string.
- Is A major easy on bass?
- Yes — the open A provides the root, and the 5th (E) is just one fret away on the D string.
- What's a typical A-major walking bass line?
- Open A → 2nd fret D (E) → 4th fret D (F#) → 7th fret D (A octave). A standard walking pattern in A major used across country, swing, and pop.
Switch instruments
See A on a different instrument — same chord, new diagram.