Bidin' My Time in A

George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin(1930)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
D/F♯
A/E
B/F♯
D/E
D/F♯
A/E
E7sus4

Chord Diagrams — Bidin' My Time in A (Guitar)

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Bidin' My Time 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 F# (descending minor third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to D (descending whole step), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to A (descending whole step), A to C# (ascending major third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to B (ascending minor third), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to D (ascending minor third), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to E (descending perfect fourth). 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.

swing4/4 · 25 bars · Form: A

Chords: AMaj7, F♯m, Bm7, E7, D/F♯, A, F♯7, Bm7♭5, A/E, C♯7, F♯, G♯m7, B/F♯, F♯m7, F♯m7♭5, B7, D/E, A6, E7sus4.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A