María Bonita in A

María Bonita in A

María Bonita in A — Agustín Lara's timeless bolero. The Bebop Major and Major Pentatonic scales work beautifully over these romantic changes. Chords: Amaj7 – Bm7 – E7 – F#m7 – Dmaj7 – Dm7 – F#7.

María Bonita 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 A to B (ascending whole step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to D (descending major third), D to D (ascending unison), D to F# (ascending major third). The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from F# to A by minor third.

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.