Alone Together in A

Arthur Schwartz()balladBallad
Do Re MiC D E
A
A
B
A

Chord Diagrams — Alone Together in A (Guitar)

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Alone Together in A

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

ballad4/4 · 59 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: Am, Bm7♭5, E7♭9, Em7♭5, A7♭9, Dm, Dm7, F♯m7, B7, G7, C, C7, E7, AMaj7, Dm7♭5, G7♭9.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop minor, A bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A