Lullaby of birdland in A

George Shearing()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Lullaby of birdland in A (Guitar)

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Lullaby of birdland 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 D (descending whole step), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A (ascending major third), A to E (descending 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 E to A 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 · 26 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Am7, B7, E7, Dm7, G7, CMaj7, F7, A7, Em7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop minor, A bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A