Don't Get Around Much Anymore in A

Duke Ellington / Bob Russell(1940)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Don't Get Around Much Anymore in A (Guitar)

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Don't Get Around Much Anymore 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 B (ascending whole step), B to C (ascending half step), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to G# (descending perfect fourth), G# to G (descending half step), G to F# (descending half step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to A (ascending unison), A to D# (ascending tritone), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to A (ascending half step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from A to A 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 · 26 bars · Form: AB

Chords: AMaj7, Bm7, Cdim7, C♯m7, G♯7, G7, F♯7, B7, E7, A6, D6, Dm, A/E, A7, D♯m7♭5, G♯7♭9, A.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A