Do Re MiC D E

Alone Too Long

Schwartz Arthur4/4ballad

Chord Diagrams — Alone Too Long in A (Guitar)

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Alone Too Long 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 half step), A# to B (ascending half step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to D (descending major third), D to C# (descending half step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. 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.

ballad4/4 · 32 bars · Form: ABA

Chords: A6, A♯dim7, Bm7, E7, F♯m7, G♯m7♭5, C♯7♭9, F♯m, F♯m/D, F♯m/C♯, D7, C♯7, F♯m6, B7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A