Do Re MiC D E

Bean And The Boys

Hawkins Coleman4/4up-tempo-swing

Chord Diagrams — Bean And The Boys in A (Guitar)

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Bean And The Boys 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 G# (descending half step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to C (ascending half step), C to A (descending minor third), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to D (descending whole step), D to D# (ascending half step), D# to A (ascending tritone), A to B (ascending whole step), B to D (ascending minor third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to D (descending perfect fourth). 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 D to A 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.

up-tempo-swing4/4 · 64 bars · Form: ABC

Chords: A6, G♯m7♭5, C♯7♭9, F♯m7, B7, Cm7♭5, A6/C, E7, D6, D♯dim7, A6/E♭, Bm7, D7, Gdim7, Dm6.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A