How Little We Know in A

Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer(1944)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
G13
A69
A69
G13
G13
E7sus4

Chord Diagrams — How Little We Know in A (Guitar)

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How Little We Know 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 E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to B (ascending whole step), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to A# (descending half step), A# to D (ascending major third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to A (ascending whole step), A to C (ascending minor third), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to C (descending half step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to E (descending half step), E to E (ascending unison), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to A (ascending unison), A to E (descending perfect fourth). 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 E to E 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.

swing4/4 · 33 bars · Form: A

Chords: E7, AMaj7, Bm7, C♯m7, F♯m7, Bm9, A♯7, Dm9, G13, A69, Cm7, C♯m9, Cm9, F9, E7♭9, Em9, A13, A7♭9, E7sus4.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A