A major

A major is a major scale based on A, consisting of the pitches A, B, C#, D, E, F#, G#, and A. Its key signature consists of three sharps.

Related Topics:
Major scale - Key signature

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Its relative minor is F-sharp minor and its parallel minor is A minor. A major is the only key in which a Neapolitan sixth chord on ^2 requires both a flat and a natural accidental.

Related Topics:
Relative minor - F-sharp minor - Parallel minor - A minor - Neapolitan sixth

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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. Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 in A major, Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 6 in A major and Felix Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4 in A major comprise a nearly complete list of Symphonies in the key in the Romantic era. Mozart's Clarinet Concerto and Clarinet Quintet are both in A major.

Related Topics:
Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony No. 7 in A major - Anton Bruckner - Symphony No. 6 in A major - Felix Mendelssohn - Symphony No. 4 in A major - Mozart

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It is also the key used for Howard Greenfield and Neil Sedaka's song 'Is This The Way To Amarillo', sung by Tony Christie.

Related Topics:
Howard Greenfield - Neil Sedaka - Is This The Way To Amarillo - Tony Christie

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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.

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