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Tones For Joan's Bones 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 B to B (ascending unison), B to A# (descending half step), A# to A (descending half step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to C (ascending minor third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to C# (descending whole step), C# to C (descending half step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to C (descending minor third), C to B (descending half step), B to A# (descending half step), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to D# (ascending minor third), D# to G (ascending major third), G to G# (ascending half step), G# to E (descending major third), E to E (ascending unison), E to F (ascending half step), F to F# (ascending half step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to C (descending half step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A (ascending major third), A to G (descending whole step), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to A# (descending major third). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from A# to B 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.