Song for My Father in A

Horace Silver(1964)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
Bm7/E

Chord Diagrams — Song for My Father in A (Guitar)

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Song for My Father 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 G (descending whole step), G to F (descending whole step), F to B (ascending tritone), B to E (ascending perfect fourth). The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. 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 · 18 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Am, G7, F7, Bm7/E, E7♯9.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop minor, A bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A