Take The A Train in G

Take The A Train in G

Take The A Train in G — 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: G6 – A7b5 – Am7 – D7 – G – CMaj7 – A7 – Am9 – D9 – G#9.

Take The A Train in G

G major is the singer-songwriter's key. The open G, B, and D strings spell out the full G major triad with zero fretting. Add the open high E for a Gadd6 shimmer. Nearly every diatonic chord (Em, Am, C, D) has a comfortable open voicing. G is a beginner-level key on guitar because the open G, B, and D strings form a complete G major triad without fretting a single note, and the open low E adds a rich 6th color. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through G to A (ascending whole step), A to A (ascending unison), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to A (descending minor third), A to A (ascending unison), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G# (ascending tritone). 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 G# to G by half step.

Scales for Improvisation

G 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, G Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.