Explore More
Brake's Sake 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 E to E (ascending unison), E to E (ascending unison), E to E (ascending unison), E to D (descending whole step), D to E (ascending whole step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D# (ascending half step), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to G# (descending whole step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F (ascending major third), 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 predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from A to E 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.