My Favorite Things in La

Richard Rodgers(1959)waltzMedium Waltz

My Favorite Things in La

My Favorite Things in A: Coltrane transformed Rodgers & Hammerstein's waltz into a modal exploration alternating Dorian and major sections. Harmonic Minor and Aeolian frame the minor parts — sustain the pedal tones and let the modes expand. Chords: Am7 – Bm7 – FMaj7 – E7 – AMaj7 – DMaj7 – C#m7.

My Favorite Things in La

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 F (ascending tritone), F to E (descending half step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to C# (descending half step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from C# to A by major 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.

waltz3/4 · 64 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: Lam7, Sim7, FaMaj7, Mi7, LaMaj7, ReMaj7, Do♯m7.

Scales for Improvisation La dorian, La aeolian, La minor pentatonic, La harmonic minor, La bebop minor, La bebop.