Do Re MiC D E

I Thought About You

Jimmy Van Heusen / Johnny Mercer(1939)2/2ballad

Chord Diagrams — I Thought About You in A (Guitar)

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I Thought About You 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 G# to A (ascending half step), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to G (ascending half step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to B (descending half step), B to B (ascending unison), B to B (ascending unison), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to G# (descending perfect fourth), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to A (ascending minor third), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to D (descending whole step), D to D (ascending unison), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to E (ascending whole step), E to G# (ascending major third), G# to D# (descending perfect fourth), D# to C (descending minor third), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to E (ascending minor third), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to D (descending major third), D to D# (ascending half step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from D# to G# 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.

ballad2/2 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: G♯7, AMaj7, F♯7♭9, G9♯11, C13, B9, Bm7/E♭, Bm7, C♯7♭9, G♯m7♭5add9add11, F♯m7, A7, Em7, D6, DMaj7, G7, Dm7, E7, G♯7♭9, D♯m7♭5, C7, C♯m7, E13, F♯m/B♭, D7♯11, D♯m7♭5add9add11.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A