I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry

I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry 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 A (ascending unison), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to F (ascending half step), F to C# (descending major third), C# to D (ascending half step), D to E (ascending whole step), E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to A (descending whole step), A to A (ascending unison), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to C (descending major third), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to E (ascending minor third), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to A (ascending minor third), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to D# (descending half step), D# to D (descending half step), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to D (descending whole step), D to B (descending minor third), B to A (descending whole step), A to A (ascending unison), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F# (ascending major third), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth), C# to D (ascending half step), D to D# (ascending half step), D# to E (ascending half step), E to C (descending major 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 C to E by major third.

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.