Recorda Me in A

Joe Henderson(1963)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
E♯9

Chord Diagrams — Recorda Me in A (Guitar)

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Recorda Me 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 C (ascending minor third), C to C (ascending unison), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to G (ascending half step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to E (descending half step), E to E# (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 E# to A by minor 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.

swing4/4 · 18 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Am, Cm, Cm7, F7, A♯Maj7, A♯m7, D♯7, G♯Maj7, G♯m7, C♯7, F♯Maj7, Gm7, C7, FMaj7, E7♯9, E♯9.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop minor, A bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A