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Tea For Two in A
This cabaret classic's relentless ii-V-I motion is a disciplined training ground for Dorian, Mixolydian, and Bebop Major language deployed in A. The symmetrical phrase structure demands harmonic precision and motivic development in equal measure. The Bm7 – E7 – Amaj7 – D7 – C#m7 – F#7 – D#m7 – G#7 – C#maj7 – Fm7 – A#7 – C#m7b5 – F#7b9 – C#dim7 – Dmaj7 – Bm7/Ab – G7 – Cdim7 – A6 changes are used by generations of jazz educators to build ii-V-I fluency and consistent swing.
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 B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to C# (descending half step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to D# (descending minor third), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F (ascending major third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth), C# to D (ascending half step), D to B (descending minor third), B to G (descending major third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to A (descending minor third). 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 B by whole 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.