Heart And Soul in A

Frank Losser, Hoagy Carmichael()swing

Heart And Soul in A

Heart And Soul in 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 F# (descending minor third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to D (descending whole step), D to C# (descending half step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to A (descending whole step), A to G# (descending 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 G# to A by half 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.

swing2/2 · 32 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: A, F♯m7, Bm7, E7, E9, D, C♯7, F♯7, B7, A7, G♯7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A