Blue and White in A

Sandstrom(1984)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A

Chord Diagrams — Blue and White in A (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree

Blue and White 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 C (ascending minor third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to E (descending half step), E to E (ascending unison), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to C# (descending half step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to D (descending major third), D to B (descending minor third), B to B (ascending unison), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to D# (ascending whole step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to D (ascending half step), D to F# (ascending major third), F# to C (ascending tritone), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A (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 A to A 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: A, C7, FMaj7, E7♯5, Em7, A7, D, C♯7, F♯m7, DMaj7, B7, Bm7, E7, C♯m7, D♯m7, G♯7, C♯, D7♭5, F♯7, Cm7, F7, A♯Maj7, AMaj7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A