Rag Mop in A

J. L. Wills / D. Anderson()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
E13
E13
E13

Chord Diagrams — Rag Mop in A (Guitar)

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Rag Mop 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 A (ascending unison), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to E (ascending whole step), E to E (ascending unison), E to D (descending whole step), D to D (ascending unison), D to B (descending minor third). The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from B to A 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.

swing4/4 · 26 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A6, A7, D9, E9, E13, D6, D7, Bm7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A