Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive in A

Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer(1944)swing

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive 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 A (ascending unison), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to A (ascending minor third), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to F (ascending minor third), F to B (ascending tritone), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth). 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.

swing2/2 · 28 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A, Aaug, F♯m, A7, D, Dm, F11, Bm9, E9, Bm7, E7, Eaug, F♯7♭9, B7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A