Waltz For Debby in La

Bill Evans(1956)waltzMedium Waltz

Waltz For Debby in La

Waltz for Debby in A: Bill Evans's jazz waltz blossoms through lush upper-structure voicings and subtle harmonic extensions. Bebop Major and Lydian scales trace the major chord color — Dorian enriches the minor ii passages. Chords: AMaj7 – F#m7 – Bm7 – E7 – C#m7 – F#7 – DMaj7.

Waltz For Debby in La

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 F# (descending minor third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to F# (ascending 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 A 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.

waltz3/4 · 56 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: LaMaj7, Fa♯m7, Sim7, Mi7, Do♯m7, Fa♯7, ReMaj7.

Scales for Improvisation La major, La dorian, La lydian, La bebop major, La major pentatonic.