Once I Loved (O Amor Em Paz) in A

Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes / Ray Gilbert(1960)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
G7♯5

Chord Diagrams — Once I Loved (O Amor Em Paz) in A (Guitar)

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Once I Loved (O Amor Em Paz) 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 D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to D# (ascending whole step), D# to E (ascending half step), E to C (descending major third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to B (ascending half step), B to D# (ascending major third), D# to A (ascending tritone), A to G# (descending half step), G# to D (ascending tritone), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to F# (ascending half step), F# to F (descending half step), F to E (descending half step), E to D# (descending half step), D# to D (descending half step), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to A (ascending unison). 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 D by perfect fourth.

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 · 30 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Dm7, G7♯5, CMaj7, C♯dim, D♯dim, Em7, Cm7, F7, A♯Maj7, Bm7♭5, D♯9, AMaj7, G♯9, D7, GMaj7, C7, FMaj7, F♯m7♭5, Fm6, Em6, D♯7♭5, Dm7♭5, Am6, A7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop minor, A bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A