My Blue Heaven in A

Walter Donaldson / George A. Whiting(1927)swing

My Blue Heaven 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 E (descending perfect fourth), E to G# (ascending major third), G# to G (descending half step), G to F# (descending half step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to A (descending whole step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to A# (descending 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 A# to A by half 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.

swing2/2 · 26 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A6, Eaug, G♯7, G7, F♯7, B7, E7, Bm7, Aaug, D6, A♯dim.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A