Del Sasser in A

Sam Jones(1960)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
AMaj7/G♯
F♯m7/E
B/D♯
AMaj7/G♯
F♯m7/E
B/D♯

Chord Diagrams — Del Sasser in A (Guitar)

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Del Sasser 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 E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to A (ascending minor third), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to D (ascending minor third), D to C# (descending half step), C# to A (descending major third), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to B (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 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.

swing2/2 · 50 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Bm7, E7, AMaj7, F♯7, AMaj7/G♯, F♯m7, F♯m7/E, B/D♯, DmMaj7, C♯m7, A, Em7, A7, DMaj7, BMaj7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A