Stars fell on Alabama in A

Frank Perkins / Mitchell Parish(1934)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Stars fell on Alabama in A (Guitar)

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Stars fell on Alabama 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 A# (ascending half step), A# to B (ascending half step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to D (descending whole step), D to C# (descending half step), C# to C (descending half step), C to B (descending half step), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to D (descending major third), D to G# (ascending tritone), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to D# (descending minor third), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (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 C# to A by major 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 · 26 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A, A♯dim, B7, E7, D, C♯m7, Cm7, Bm7, F♯7, Dm6, G♯m7♭5, C♯7, F♯m7, D♯m7, G♯7, C♯Maj7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A