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How Insensitive in A
How Insensitive in A: Jobim's bossa nova elegy descends chromatically through Melodic Minor and Harmonic Minor territory. Phrygian-flavored dominant chords give the harmony its Brazilian melancholy — keep lines close to the melody. Chords: Am – G#dim7 – Gm6 – D7/B – Fmaj7 – A#maj7#11 – Bm7b5 – E7b9 – G#7 – F#dim7 – Gm7 – C7 – F#m7 – B7b9.
Key of A
A major is a rock and blues cornerstone. The open A string delivers a strong root, while both E strings ring as the fifth. Classic A-D-E progressions practically play themselves with open cowboy chords. The open high E is the fifth, reinforcing power. A is a beginner-level key on guitar because the open A string is the root and the open E strings provide the fifth above and below, creating a massive low-end anchor. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.
Voice Leading
The bass line moves through A to G# (descending half step), G# to G (descending half step), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to B (ascending half step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to G# (ascending major third), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to G (ascending half step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F# (ascending tritone), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The root motion by larger intervals (fourths and fifths) gives each chord change a strong, decisive character. When the progression loops, the bass returns from B to A by whole step.
Scales for Improvisation
A major pentatonic works because every note is either a chord tone or a safe passing tone — there are no avoid notes. For soloing, this means you can play freely without clashing. Over dominant seventh chords, A Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.