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Under A Blanket Of Blue 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 E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to C# (ascending major third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to E (descending whole step), E to A# (ascending tritone), A# to D (ascending major third), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to A (ascending unison), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to D (descending whole step), D to B (descending minor third), B to F# (descending perfect fourth). 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 F# to B by perfect fourth.

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.

medium-swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: ABA

Chords: Bm7, E7♯5, Amaj7, C♯m7, F♯7, E7, A♯dim7, Dm6, A6, A7, Em7, Dmaj7, B7, F♯m7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A