Interplay in A

Bill Evans(1962)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A

Chord Diagrams — Interplay in A (Guitar)

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

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 · 12 bars · Form: A

Chords: Am7, Dm7, A7, C7, Bm7♭5, E7, F♯m7♭5, FMaj7, A♯Maj7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop minor, A bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A