How Deep Is The Ocean in A

How Deep Is The Ocean in A

Irving Berlin's ballad moves through a striking series of fourth-based harmonic motion that opens up Dorian color on the minor passages, Bebop Major lyricism on the major sections, and Harmonic Minor tension on the minor dominant resolutions. The fourth-cycle harmonic logic gives the tune an unusually strong sense of forward momentum for a ballad. Voice leading across the fourth-based changes is the central harmonic challenge.

How Deep Is The Ocean 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 F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to D# (ascending whole step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F# (ascending major third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to D (ascending half step), D to G (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 G to F# 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.