That's All in A

Alan Brandt, Bob Haymes()balladSlowly, with expression
Do Re MiC D E
A
A
B
A

Chord Diagrams — That's All in A (Guitar)

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That's All in A

That's All in 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 C# (ascending whole step), C# to D (ascending half step), D to E (ascending whole step), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to D# (descending minor third), D# to C (descending minor third), C to F# (ascending tritone), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to B (descending minor third), B to D (ascending minor third), D to D (ascending unison), D to F# (ascending major third), F# to E (descending whole step), E to C# (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 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.

ballad2/2 · 41 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: A, Bm7, C♯m7, Dm7, E7, F♯9, D♯m7♭5, Cdim7, F♯7♭9, B7♭5, E7♭9, Em7, A9, Dmaj9, B9, DMaj7, D6, F♯m7, Emaj9, C♯9.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A