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These Foolish Things 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 F# to A (ascending minor third), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to A (descending whole step), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to D (descending major third), D to G# (ascending tritone), G# to A# (ascending whole step), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to D# (ascending whole step), D# to C# (descending whole step), C# to E (ascending minor third), E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to D (descending major third). 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 D to F# 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.