A Bientot in A

Billy Taylor(1988)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
Bm7/E
Bm7/E
Bm7/E
A♯Maj7♭5
FMaj7♭5
Bm7/E
Bm7/E
A♯Maj7♭5
Bm7/E
Bm7/E
Bm7/E
Bm7/E

Chord Diagrams — A Bientot in A (Guitar)

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A Bientot 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 B (ascending whole step), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to G (descending half step), G to F# (descending half step), F# to F (descending half step), F to B (ascending tritone), B to A# (descending half step), A# to D (ascending major third), D to F# (ascending major third), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to D# (ascending half step), D# to G (ascending major third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to E (descending half step), E to D# (descending half step), D# to E (ascending half step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from E to A by perfect fourth.

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 · 64 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Am7, Bm7/E, G♯7♯9, Gm7, F♯7♭5, FMaj7, B7♭5, A♯Maj7♭5, D7♭5, F♯7♯9, F♯m7♭5, B7♯9, E7♭5, Am6, D7, Dm7, D♯7, G7♭9, CMaj7, FMaj7♭5, Em7, D♯7♭9, E7♯9.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop minor, A bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A