Do Re MiC D E

Let's Face The Music And Dance

Irving Berlin(1936)4/4swing

Chord Diagrams — Let's Face The Music And Dance in A (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
Starting fret
Open123456789101112

Explore More

Let's Face The Music And Dance 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 B (ascending whole step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to A (ascending unison), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to D (descending whole step), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to A (ascending whole step), A to A (ascending unison), A to A (ascending unison), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to F (ascending half step), F to B (ascending tritone), B to A (descending whole step), A to C (ascending minor third), C to G (descending perfect fourth), G to F (descending whole step), F to F# (ascending half step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth). 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 B to A by whole 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 · 56 bars · Form: A

Chords: Am, Bm7♭5, E7♭9, AMaj7, A7, Em7, DMaj7, G7, Am6, Am7, AmMaj7, E7, F7, Bm7/G, A6, C7, Gm7, FMaj7, F♯m7, Bm7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A