When I Grow Too Old To Dream in A

Sigmund Romberg / Oscar Hammerstein II(1934)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A

Chord Diagrams — When I Grow Too Old To Dream in A (Guitar)

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When I Grow Too Old To Dream 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 E (descending perfect fourth), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to A (descending whole step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to A# (descending major third), A# to A (descending half step), A to C# (ascending major third), C# to B (descending whole step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. 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 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: A6, E7, C♯m, F♯m, Bm7, A7, D6, A♯dim, AMaj7, C♯7, B9.

Scales for Improvisation A bebop, A bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A