Avalon in A

V. Rose()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
E13♭9

Chord Diagrams — Avalon in A (Guitar)

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Avalon 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 E to E (ascending unison), E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to A (descending whole step), A to G# (descending half step), G# to G (descending half step), G to F# (descending half step), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth), C# to B (descending whole step), B to B (ascending unison), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to E (ascending minor third). 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 E to E 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 · 33 bars · Form: A

Chords: E7, Edim7, Bm7, A6, G♯7, G7, F♯7, C♯m7♭5, BmMaj7, Bm7♭5, C♯m7, E13♭9.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A