But Not For Me in A

George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin(1930)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
Bm7/E
Bm7/E

Chord Diagrams — But Not For Me in A (Guitar)

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But Not For Me 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 B to B (ascending unison), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to A (ascending whole step), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to B (ascending 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 B to B 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 · 22 bars · Form: AB

Chords: B7, Bm7/E, E7, AMaj7, Em7, A7, DMaj7, G7, A, F♯m7, Bm7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A