Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin' in A

Joe Greene(1966)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
E7♯5
E7♯5

Chord Diagrams — Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin' in A (Guitar)

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Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin' 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 A (descending whole step), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to B (ascending whole step), B to G (descending major third), G to A (ascending whole step), A to D# (ascending tritone), D# to D (descending half step), D to D (ascending unison), D to E (ascending whole step), E to G# (ascending major third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to C# (ascending unison), C# to B (descending whole step), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (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 E to B by perfect fourth.

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 · 29 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Bm7, A6, E7, Adim, Bm9, GMaj7, AMaj7, D♯dim, D7, Dm6, E7♭9, G♯7, C♯m7, C♯7, Bm6, F♯7, B7, E7♯5.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A