All The Things You Are in A
All The Things You Are in A
The A version of All The Things You Are: a masterclass in sequential modulation through Ab, C, Eb, and G tonal centers. Bebop Major scales unlock each new key center; Lydian colors the IV chords beautifully. Changes: F#m7 – Bm7 – E7 – AMaj7 – DMaj7 – G#7 – C#Maj7 – C#m7 – B7 – EMaj7 – D#7 – G#Maj7 – A#m7 – Gm7 – C7 – FMaj7 – C#7#5 – Dm7 – Cdim7 – C#7.
All The Things You Are in 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 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 G# (ascending tritone), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to C# (ascending unison), C# to B (descending whole step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to D# (descending half step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to A# (ascending whole step), A# to G (descending minor third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to C# (descending major third), C# to D (ascending half step), D to C (descending whole step), C to C# (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 C# to F# 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.