Chattanooga Choo-Choo in A

Harry Warren()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
C
E7♯5
A7/G
D/F♯

Chord Diagrams — Chattanooga Choo-Choo in A (Guitar)

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Chattanooga Choo-Choo 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 E (ascending unison), E to E (ascending unison), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to G# (ascending half step), G# to B (ascending minor third), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A# (ascending tritone), A# to A (descending half step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third), F to A (ascending major third), A to F# (descending minor third). 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 F# to A by minor third.

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.

swing2/2 · 26 bars · Form: ABC

Chords: A6, E7, E9, E7♯5, A7, D, D7, G, G♯dim, B7, E7♭9, A♯7, A7/G, D/F♯, F6, A, F♯m.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A