Robbin's nest in La

Sir Charles Thompson, Jean-Baptiste \"Illinois\" Jacquet()swingMedium Swing

Robbin's nest in La

Robbin's nest 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 F (descending major third), F to C# (descending major third), C# to C (descending half step), C to B (descending half step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth). 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 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 · 33 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: La6, Fa7, Do♯m7, Dom7♭5, Sim7, Mi7♭9, Mi7, Do♯7♭9, Fa♯7♭9, Si7♭9, Mi7♯5.

Scales for Improvisation La bebop, La bebop major.