Can Can in A

J.Offenbach()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
C
D
Am/E
A♯dim/E
Am/E
A♯dim/E
E/G♯
A7/G
D/F♯
E/G♯
A7/G
D/F♯

Chord Diagrams — Can Can in A (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
E7
EADGBE21
5frEADGBEx3241x7frEADGBE1111349frEADGBE111xx2
A
EADGBEx234
2frEADGBE111x45frEADGBE1113427frEADGBEx1243
D
EADGBExx132
2frEADGBE1114325frEADGBE11123410frEADGBE111342
B7
EADGBEx2134
EADGBE1111344frEADGBE111xx27frEADGBE111132
E
EADGBE231
2frEADGBExx12434frEADGBE1114327frEADGBE111234
A7
EADGBEx23
EADGBE111x25frEADGBE1111327frEADGBEx1324
Am/E
EADGBEx231
2frEADGBE444x15frEADGBE1111347frEADGBEx1342
A♯dim/E
EADGBEx1243x
4frEADGBE31x42x8frEADGBExx12x311frEADGBEx41x23
E/G♯
4frEADGBE111432
EADGBE2312frEADGBExx12437frEADGBE111234
A7/G
EADGBEx23
EADGBE111x25frEADGBE1111327frEADGBEx1324
D/F♯
2frEADGBE111432
EADGBExx1325frEADGBE11123410frEADGBE111342

Can Can 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 A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to B (descending minor third), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to A (ascending unison), A to A# (ascending half step), A# to E (ascending tritone), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (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 D to E 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.

swing2/4 · 120 bars · Form: ABCD

Chords: E7, A, D, B7, E, A7, Am/E, A♯dim/E, E/G♯, A7/G, D/F♯.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A