April In Paris in A

Vernon Duke / E.Y. Harburg(1932)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A

Chord Diagrams — April In Paris in A (Guitar)

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April In Paris 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 B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to E (descending 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 F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to D# (descending minor third), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to D (descending major third), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to C (ascending minor third), C to A (descending minor third), A to C# (ascending major third), C# to B (descending whole step), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to B (descending whole step). 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 B 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 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: Bm7♭5, E7, AMaj7, Em7, A7, DMaj7, G♯m7♭5, C♯7, F♯m, F♯m/E, D♯m7♭5, G♯7, F♯7, Ddim, A/C♯, Cdim, A, C♯Maj7, Bm7, C♯m7♭5, B7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A