I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' in La

George Gershwin()swingModerately

I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' in La

I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' in La

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 B (ascending whole step), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to C# (ascending unison), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to D# (ascending major third), D# to E (ascending half step), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth), C# to E (ascending minor third). 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 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.

swing2/2 · 43 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: La, Sim7, Do♯m, Do♯7, Fa♯, Si, Re♯, Mi, Fa♯m/b, Do♯m6, Mi7.

Scales for Improvisation La bebop, La bebop major.