Robbin's Nest in A

Illinois Jacques / Sir Charles Thompson(1947)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Robbin's Nest in A (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree

Robbin's Nest 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 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 A (ascending perfect fourth), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth), C# to B (descending whole step). 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 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 · 31 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A6, F9, C♯m7, Cdim, Bm7, E7, A, F♯7, C♯7, B7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A