Mississippi Delta Blues in A

Jimmie Rodgers / Jack Neville(1933)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
E7♯5

Chord Diagrams — Mississippi Delta Blues in A (Guitar)

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Mississippi Delta Blues 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 C# (ascending major third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to E (descending whole step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to F# (ascending major third). 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.

swing4/4 · 43 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A, B7, E7, A6, C♯7, F♯m, E7♯5, A7, D6, Dm6, F♯7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A