Do Re MiC D E

Bourbon Street Parade

Barbarin Paul4/4medium-up-swing
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%

Chord Diagrams — Bourbon Street Parade in A (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
Starting fret
Open123456789101112

Explore More

Bourbon Street Parade 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 E (descending perfect fourth), E to D (descending whole step), D to D# (ascending half step), D# to A (ascending tritone), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to B (ascending 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 B to A by whole step.

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.

medium-up-swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: ABAC

Chords: A, E7, D, D♯dim7, A/E♭, F♯7, B7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A