Unforgettable in A

Irving Gordon(1951)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
Adim/C
Bm7/E
Am/C

Chord Diagrams — Unforgettable in A (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree

Unforgettable 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 A to A (ascending unison), A to B (ascending whole step), B to B (ascending unison), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to G (ascending minor third), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to B (ascending whole step). 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 B to A 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.

swing4/4 · 20 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A, Adim/C, Bm7/E, B7, Em7, Gm7, D, Am/C, E7, A7, Bm7.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A