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Take The A Train in A
Take The A Train in A — Duke Ellington's anthem, defined by its signature #IV chord (II7#11). Use Lydian Dominant over that chord for the characteristic uptown sound, Bebop Major everywhere else. Changes: A6 – B7b5 – Bm7 – E7 – A – A7/e – D – F7/Gb – E9 – Amaj9 – DMaj7 – B7 – Bm9 – A#9.
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 B (ascending whole step), B to B (ascending unison), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to A (ascending unison), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third), F to E (descending half step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to B (descending minor third), B to B (ascending unison), B to A# (descending half 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 A# to A by half 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.