Let's Call The Whole Thing Off in A

George Gershwin()swingBrightly
Do Re MiC D E
A
A
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B
A
'
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Chord Diagrams — Let's Call The Whole Thing Off in A (Guitar)

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Let's Call The Whole Thing Off in A

Let's Call The Whole Thing Off in 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 F# (descending minor third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F# (ascending major third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to D# (ascending major third), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth). 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 F# to A by minor 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.

swing2/2 · 32 bars · Form: AA'BA''

Chords: A, F♯m9, Bm7, E7, A7/f, Dm/F, F♯m, B7, D♯m7♭5, G♯7, C♯m7, F♯7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A