All That Jazz in A

John Kander / Fred Ebb(1975)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
E7♯5
C♯m7♭5/G
F♯7♯5
E7♯5
C♯m7♭5/G
A7/G
Dm/F
A/E

Chord Diagrams — All That Jazz in A (Guitar)

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

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 · 95 bars · Form: A

Chords: A, E7♯5, E7, F7, C♯m7♭5/G, F♯7, A♯, F, F♯, Dm7♭5, G7, C7♭9, B, F♯7♯5, G♯7, C♯7♭9, E, A7, Bm7, Esus4, A7/G, Dm/F, A/E.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A