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Oh! Look At Me Now 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 E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to A (descending whole step), A to A (ascending unison), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to E (ascending whole step), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to C (ascending tritone), C to D# (ascending minor third), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to G# (descending whole step), G# to F# (descending whole step). 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 E by whole 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.

medium-swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: ABA

Chords: E7, B7, Amaj7, Am7, D7, Emaj7, C♯7, F♯7, C7, D♯7, A♯7, G♯m7, F♯m7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A