26 - 2 in A

John Coltrane(1960)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
G♯7/D♯
G♯7/D♯

Chord Diagrams — 26 - 2 in A (Guitar)

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26 - 2 in A

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 C (ascending minor third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to G# (ascending minor third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to E (ascending minor third), E to E (ascending unison), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to B (ascending unison), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to G# (ascending major third), G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to G (ascending half step). 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 G 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.

swing4/4 · 33 bars · Form: A

Chords: A, C7, F, G♯7, C♯, E7, Em7, A7, D, F7, A♯, C♯7, F♯m, B7, Bm, Em, G♯7/D♯, G♯m, F♯, Gm.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A