Bebop in A

Dizzy Gillespie / Stan Getz / Sonny Stitt(1958)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
Daug♭9add7
Caug7
E11♭9

Chord Diagrams — Bebop in A (Guitar)

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

swing2/2 · 35 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Am6, Bdim, Ddim, B7, E7♯9, G♯dim, Fdim, Am7, Daug♭9add7, GMaj7, Gm7, Caug7, FMaj7, E11♭9.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop minor, A bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A