How Insensitive in A

A. C. Jobim()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
E7/G♯
D7/F♯
F♯m11
Dm6/F

Chord Diagrams — How Insensitive in A (Guitar)

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How Insensitive 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 E (descending perfect fourth), E to G (ascending minor third), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to B (ascending half step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to G# (ascending major third), G# to G (descending half step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F# (ascending tritone), F# to F (descending half step), F to E (descending half step), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to D (ascending 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 D to A 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 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: Am7, E7/G♯, Gm6, D7/F♯, F6, A♯Maj7, Bm7♭5, E7♭9, G♯7, Gm7, C9, F♯m7♭5, FMaj7, E7, F♯m11, B7♭9, Dm6/F.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop minor, A bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A