Construction
A Add 4 = Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 4th + Perfect 5th = A, C♯, D, E
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A | Root | 1 |
| C♯ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| D | Perfect 4th | 4 |
| E | Perfect 5th | 5 |
Fingering
| Note | Key color | Right hand | Left hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | white | thumb (1) | little finger (5) |
| C♯ | black | index finger (2) | middle finger (3) |
| D | white | middle finger (3) | index finger (2) |
| E | white | little finger (5) | thumb (1) |
Right hand: thumb (1) on A, index finger (2) on C♯, middle finger (3) on D, little finger (5) on E.
Left hand: little finger (5) on A, middle finger (3) on C♯, index finger (2) on D, thumb (1) on E.
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the A Add 4 is the tonic (I) chord of A Major, whose key signature has 3 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯).
F♯C♯G♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of A Major
These are the triads built on each degree of A Major:
A Add 4 : Frequently Asked Questions
What is the A Add 4 chord on piano?
The A Add 4 chord contains the notes A – C♯ – D – E. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.