How to practice Lady Bird (original version) with play-along tracks?

Use the play-along backing track above to practice Lady Bird (original version) in the key of A. Listen to the audio with bass, piano, and drums, start by playing the melody, then practice improvisation and soloing over the chord changes.

What scales to use for soloing over Lady Bird (original version)?

For soloing over Lady Bird (original version), recommended scales include: bebop, bebop major. Use arpeggio patterns over each chord to create melodic lines that follow the harmony of this jazz tune.

Who composed Lady Bird (original version)?

Lady Bird (original version) was composed by Tadd Dameron in 1939. It is a swing standard in 4/4 time. The original key is C; this page shows it transposed to A.

What key is Lady Bird (original version) in?

The original key of Lady Bird (original version) is C. The form is AB with 45 bars. This page shows the chart transposed to A.

What scales work for improvising over Lady Bird (original version)?

Recommended scales for Lady Bird (original version) in A: bebop, bebop major. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays, with context-aware analysis (e.g., Phrygian Dominant over secondary dominants).

How does the interactive backing track work?

The backing track plays with realistic walking bass, drum patterns, and voice-led chord voicings. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays. You can limit the fretboard zone for close-proximity voicings, toggle a reference melody, loop any section, and choose between multiple sound presets. Works for guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and 7 more instruments.

Can I edit the chord chart?

Yes. You can modify the structure, chords, and arrangement of any standard to match your preferred version or create your own reharmonization.

Do Re MiC D E

Lady Bird (original version)

Tadd Dameron(1939)4/4swing

BPM: 120

Chord Diagrams — Lady Bird (original version) in A (Guitar)

Display

FingerNoteDegree

Chord Voicings Closest Voicing

Starting fret

Open123456789101112

A69

C13

C9♯11

B13

Bm7

C♯m7

E13

AMaj7

Dm7add11

D - F - A - C - G

G13

Gdim♯7

C♯9♯5

E7♭9♯9♭5♯5

A♯13

A13♯11

A - C♯ - E - G - B - D♯ - F♯

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Lady Bird (original version) 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 half step), C to C (ascending unison), C to B (descending half step), B to B (ascending unison), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to E (ascending minor third), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to G (ascending unison), G to G (ascending unison), G to C# (ascending tritone), C# to F (ascending major third), F to F# (ascending half step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to C (ascending half step), C to E (ascending major third), E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to D (ascending minor third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to G (ascending unison), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to D (ascending whole step), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to A# (ascending half step), A# to A (descending half step). 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 A to E 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.

swing4/4 · 45 bars · Form: AB

Chords: E7, A69, B9, C13, C9♯11, B13, Bm7, C♯m7, E13, AMaj7, Dm7add11, G13, Gdim♯7, Gm9, C♯9♯5, FMaj7, F♯m7, B7, C6, E7♭9♯9♭5♯5, Bm7♭5, Dm7, G7, Gm7, C7, D9, A6, A♯13, A13♯11.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A

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