Chord Progressions in A Major

Common progressions in A major

ii-V-I: Bm7 – E7 – Amaj7

Tension, more tension, then home. (Bm7 = B D F# A · E7 = E G# B D · Amaj7 = A C# E G#)

vi-IV-I-V: F#m – D – A – E

Same four chords as the pop loop, starting on the minor one for a darker feel. (F#m = F# A C# · D = D F# A · A = A C# E · E = E G# B)

I-IV-vi-V: A – D – F#m – E

A bright loop that keeps moving forward. (A = A C# E · D = D F# A · F#m = F# A C# · E = E G# B)

I-V-vi-IV: A – E – F#m – D

The loop behind countless pop choruses. (A = A C# E · E = E G# B · F#m = F# A C# · D = D F# A)

I-IV-V-I: A – D – E – A

The first progression most players learn: home, away, back home. (A = A C# E · D = D F# A · E = E G# B · A = A C# E)

I-vi-IV-V: A – F#m – D – E

The classic 1950s doo-wop loop. (A = A C# E · F#m = F# A C# · D = D F# A · E = E G# B)

Three steps to learn any of these

1. Play each chord four beats, slowly, and say its name.
2. Loop the progression until you no longer look at your hands.
3. Speed up only when every change is clean.