Lamento Borincano in A

Lamento Borincano in A

Lamento Borincano in A: Rafael Hernández's son cubano. Bebop Major and Major Pentatonic scales bring out the groove and energy of these changes. Chords: D#m – E – C#m – D#m7 – EM7b5 – C#M7 – Cm7 – A# – G#/C – D#m6 – F#9 – BM7 – Fm7b5 – A#7 – C#7 – B7 – D# – D#6 – D7#5 – C7#9 – A#7sus – G#13.

Lamento Borincano in 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 D# to E (ascending half step), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to D# (ascending whole step), D# to E (ascending half step), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to C (descending half step), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to G# (descending whole step), G# to D# (descending perfect fourth), D# to F# (ascending minor third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to F (ascending tritone), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to B (descending whole step), B to D# (ascending major third), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to D (descending half step), D to C (descending whole step), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to G# (descending whole step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from G# to D# 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.