A major

Infobox Scale


scale_name=A major
relative=Fmusic|sharp minor
parallel=A minor
first_pitch=A
second_pitch=B
third_pitch=Cmusic|sharp
fourth_pitch=D
fifth_pitch=E
sixth_pitch=Fmusic|sharp
seventh_pitch=Gmusic|sharp

A major (or the key of A) is a major scale based on A, with the pitches A, B, Cmusic|sharp, D, E, Fmusic|sharp, and Gmusic|sharp. Its key signature has three sharps.

Its relative minor is F-sharp minor and its parallel minor is A minor. The key of A-major is the only key where a Neapolitan sixth chord on $hat2$ requires both a flat and a natural accidental.

Although not as rare in the symphonic literature as sharper keys, examples of symphonies in A major are not as numerous as for D major or G major. Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, Bruckner's Symphony No. 6 and Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4 comprise a nearly complete list of symphonies in this key in the Romantic era. Mozart's Clarinet Concerto and Clarinet Quintet are both in A major, and generally Mozart was more likely to use clarinets in A major than in any other key besides E-flat major. [Mark Anson-Cartwright, "Chromatic Features of E♭-Major Works of the Classical Period" "Music Theory Spectrum" 22 2 (2000): 178]

In chamber music, A major occurs more often. Both Brahms and Franck wrote violin sonatas in A major.

According to Christian Friedrich Daniel Schubart, A major is a key suitable for "declarations of innocent love, ... hope of seeing one's beloved again when parting; youthful cheerfulness and trust in God."

For orchestral works in A major, the timpani are typically set to A and E a fifth apart, rather than a fourth apart as for most other keys.

See also: List of symphonies in A major

References

* Colin Lawson, "Mozart: Clarinet Concerto", A Cambridge Music Handbook, Cambridge University Press, 1996.

cales and keys