Ma Belle Hélène
Chord Diagrams — Ma Belle Hélène in A (Guitar)
Explore More
Ma Belle Hélène 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 F to C# (descending major third), C# to A (descending major third), A to F (descending major third), F to E (descending half step), E to C (descending major third), C to G# (descending major third), G# to E (descending major third), E to D# (descending half step), D# to G (ascending major third), G to B (ascending major third), B to A (descending whole step), A to D# (ascending tritone), D# to F# (ascending minor third), F# to D (descending major third), D to A# (descending major third), A# to F# (descending major third), F# to F (descending half step), F to C# (descending major third), C# to A (descending major third), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to G# (ascending major third), G# to C (ascending major third), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to E (ascending tritone), E to G (ascending minor third), G to B (ascending major third). 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 B to F by tritone.
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. Try the major blues scale — adding the flat 3rd as a passing chromatic note gives bends and slides an expressive, soulful quality.