Chord Diagrams

Understanding the Key of A

Every major key contains seven chords, built from the notes of that scale.

In the key of C major, those chords are built from the C major scale:

A B C# D E F# G#

Each note becomes a chord.

But here’s the important part:

The pattern of chord qualities is always the same in every major key.

Major – Minor – Minor – Major – Major – Minor – Diminished

That means:

• The 1 chord is always major
• The 2 chord is always minor
• The 3 chord is always minor
• The 4 chord is always major
• The 5 chord is always major
• The 6 chord is always minor
• The 7 chord is diminished

This pattern never changes.

Why This Matters (Nashville Number System)

Instead of memorizing random chord progressions, we think in numbers.

For example:

• 1 – 5 – 6 – 4
• 2 – 5 – 1
• 4 – 1 – 5

In A, those become:

When you understand numbers, you can play in any key instantly.