Do Re MiC D E

Song Is You, The

Kern Jerome4/4up-tempo-swing

Chord Diagrams — Song Is You, The in A (Guitar)

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Song Is You, The 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 B (descending half step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth), C# to D (ascending half step), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to A (ascending whole step), A to D# (ascending tritone), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to D# (ascending whole step), D# to G (ascending major third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to E (ascending half step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (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 D 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.

up-tempo-swing4/4 · 64 bars · Form: ABA

Chords: Amaj7, Cdim7, Bm7, E7, F♯7, C♯m7, Dm7, G7, A6, D♯m7♭5, G♯7, C♯maj7, D♯m7, Gm7♭5, C7♭9, Fm7, A♯7, D♯7, Em7, A7, Dmaj7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A