Learn Every Key: A

[T-Block]

Now that we've tackled the keys C, C#/Db, D, Eb, E, F, G, and Ab, it's time for the next key, A.  Here it is:

Major Scale
               
A major scale: A=1  B=2  C#=3  D=4  E=5  F#=6  G#=7


Scale Degree Chords

1 = A-C#-E,  C#-E-A,  E-A-C#
2 = B-D-F#,  D-F#-B,  F#-B-D
3 = C#-E-G#,  E-G#-C#,  G#-C#-E
4 = D-F#-A,  F#-A-D,  A-D-F#
5 = E-G#-B,  G#-B-E,  B-E-G#
6 = F#-A-C#,  A-C#-F#,  C#-F#-A
7 = G#-B-D,  B-D-G#,  D-G#-B


Basic Progressions

1-5-1

A / A-C#-E (1)           
E / E-G#-B (5)             
(repeat)           

A / A-C#-E (1)
E / G#-B-E (5)
(repeat)           

A / C#-E-A (1)
E / B-E-G# (5)
(repeat)           

A / E-A-C# (1)
E / E-G#-B (5)
(repeat)


1-V7-1 progression

A / A-C#-E (1)           
E / E-G#-B-D (5)       
(repeat)             

A / A-C#-E (1)
E / G#-B-D-E (5)
(repeat)             

A / C#-E-A (1)
E / B-D-E-G# (5)
(repeat)

A / E-A-C# (1)     
E / D-E-G#-B (5)   
(repeat)             

A / E-A-C# (1)
E / E-G#-B-D (5)
(repeat)


1-4-1 progression

A / A-C#-E (1)           
D / D-F#-A (4)   
(repeat)         

A / A-C#-E (1)
D / A-D-F# (4)
(repeat)                     

A / C#-E-A (1)
D / D-F#-A (4)
(repeat)

A / E-A-C# (1)
D / F#-A-D (4)
(repeat)


1-4-5-1 progression

A / A-C#-E (1)           
D / D-F#-A (4)   
E / E-G#-B (5)             
(repeat)           

A / A-C#-E (1)
D / A-D-F# (4)
E / G#-B-E (5)
(repeat)                           

A / C#-E-A (1)
D / D-F#-A (4)
E / B-E-G# (5)
(repeat)

A / E-A-C# (1)
D / F#-A-D (4)
E / E-G#-B (5)
(repeat)


1-4-V7-1 progression

A / A-C#-E (1)                   
D / D-F#-A (4)                   
E / E-G#-B-D (5)                 
(repeat)                 

A / A-C#-E (1)
D / A-D-F# (4)
E / G#-B-D-E (5)
(repeat)                 

A / C#-E-A (1)
D / D-F#-A (4)
E / B-D-E-G# (5)
(repeat)

A / E-A-C# (1)         
D / F#-A-D (4)         
E / E-G#-B-D (5)       
(repeat)                 

A / E-A-C# (1)
D / F#-A-D (4)
E / D-E-G#-B (5)
(repeat)


Dominant 7th chord to 4

A / A-C#-E-G                       
D / D-F#-A (4 of A)           
(repeat)                   

A / A-C#-E-G
D / A-D-F# (4 of A)
(repeat)                       

A / C#-E-G-A           
D / D-F#-A (4 of A)     
(repeat)                   

A / E-G-A-C#
D / F#-A-D (4 of A)
(repeat)

A / G-A-C#-E
D / F#-A-D (4 of A)
(repeat)


7-3-6 progression

G# / G#-B-D (7)             
C# / C#-E-G# (3)             
F# / F#-A-C# (6)             
(repeat)                         

G# / G#-B-D (7)
C# / E-G#-C# (3)
F# / F#-A-C# (6)
(repeat)

G# / G#-B-D (7)
C# / G#-C#-E (3)
F# / A-C#-F# (6)
(repeat)

G# / B-D-G# (7)     
C# / C#-E-G# (3)     
F# / C#-F#-A (6)     
(repeat)           

G# / D-G#-B (7)
C# / E-G#-C# (3)
F# / F#-A-C# (6)
(repeat)


2-5-1 progression

B / B-D-F# (2)                 
E / E-G#-B (5)               
A / A-C#-E (1)           
(repeat)                               

B / F#-B-D (2)
E / G#-B-E (5)
A / A-C#-E (1)
(repeat)

B / B-D-F# (2)
E / B-E-G# (5)
A / C#-E-A (1)
(repeat)

B / D-F#-B (2)
E / E-G#-B (5)
A / E-A-C# (1)
(repeat)


3-6-2-5-1 progression

C# / C#-E-G# (3)                 
F# / F#-A-C# (6)                   
B / B-D-F# (2)                 
E / E-G#-B (5)               
A / A-C#-E (1)           
(repeat)                                               

C# / E#-G-C# (3)
F# / F#-A-C# (6)
B / F#-B-D (2)
E / G#-B-E (5)
A / A-C#-E (1)
(repeat)

C# / G#-C#-E (3)
F# / A-C#-F# (6)
B / B-D-F# (2)
E / B-E-G# (5)
A / C#-E-A (1)
(repeat)

C# / C#-Eb-G# (3)
F# / C#-F#-A (6)
B / D-F#-B (2)
E / E-G#-B (5)
A / E-A-C# (1)
(repeat)


7-3-6-2-5-1 progression

G# / G#-B-D (7)                 
C# / C#-E-G# (3)                 
F# / F#-A-C# (6)                   
B / B-D-F# (2)                 
E / E-G#-B (5)               
A / A-C#-E (1)           
(repeat)                             

G# / G#-B-D (7)
C# / E-G#-C# (3)
F# / F#-A-C# (6)
B / F#-B-D (2)
E / G#-B-E (5)
A / A-C#-E (1)
(repeat)

G# / G#-B-D (7)
C# / G#-C#-E (3)
F# / A-C#-F# (6)
B / B-D-F# (2)
E / B-E-G# (5)
A / C#-E-A (1)
(repeat)

G# / B-D-G# (7)       
C# / C#-E-G# (3)       
F# / C#-F#-A (6)       
B / D-F#-B (2)       
E / E-G#-B (5)       
A / E-A-C# (1)     
(repeat)             

G# / D-G#-B (7)
C# / E-G#-C# (3)
F# / F#-A-C# (6)
B / F#-B-D (2)
E / G#-B-E (5)
A / A-C#-E (1)
(repeat)

[T-Block]

I see not too many people are fond of this key, LOL. This is one of those keys that you either love or hate to play in. There really isn't much middle ground.

Here are some tips for playing in this key:

1.  Watch out for G# - If you've played in the keys G and D, then you should already be used to F# and C#. The odd note in this key is G#. Pay close attention to it now so that it doesn't trip u up later.

2.  Chording - Since there are an uneven distribution of white and black notes, almost every chord you play in this key will contain at least 1 black and 1 white note.  So, if you come across a chord that is all black or white notes, it probably means u have played a chord incorrectly. There are exceptions, but that's the general rule.

3.  Runs - I ain't gonna lie to you, runs are HARD (tricky) in this key. You're fingering has to be on point or it will sound sloppy. Any kind of run u want to do in this key has to be practiced super slow then build speed little by little. Trying to do it fast to start off with will frustrate you.

[T-Block]

MORE ADVANCED PROGRESSIONS
Key A

7-3-6 progression

G# / F#-B-D (7)                           
C# / F-A-B-E (3)           
F# / E-A-C# (6)               
(repeat)                   

G# / F#-B-D (7)
C# / E#-G#-B-D (3)
F# / E-A-C# (6)
(repeat)         

G# / F#-B-D (7)
C# / D-E#-G#-B (3)
F# / C#-F#-A (6)
(repeat)

G# / D#-F#-A#-C# (7)
C# / F-A-B-E (3)
F# / E-A-C# (6)
(repeat)



2-5-1 progression

B / D#-F#-A-C# (2) 
E / D-E-A-B (5)     
E / D-E-G#-B (5)   
A / C#-E-A (1)     
(repeat)           

B / E#-A-B-D (2)
E / E-A-C# (5)
E / D-E-A-B (5)     
E / D-E-G#-B (5)   
A / C#-E-A (1)     
(repeat)

B / D#-F#-A-C (2)
E / D-F#-G#-c or E / D-E-G#-B (5)
A / G-C#-F#-A or A / G-C#-E-A (1)
(repeat)

B / G#-C#-E#  or  B-A / G#-C#-E# (2)
E / A-D-F# (5)
A / A-C#-E (1)
(repeat)



2-3-4-5-1 progression

B / F-A-B-D (2)
C# / E-A-C# (3)
D / F-A-B-D (4)
E / E-A-C# (5)
E / D-E-A-B (5)     
E / D-E-G#-B (5)   
A / C#-E-A (1)     
(repeat)



7-3-6-2-5-1 progression

G# / F#-B-D (7)         
C# / F-A-B-E (3)   
F# / E-A-C# (6)       
B / E#-A-B-D (2)
E / E-A-C# (5)                 
E / D-E-A-B (5)     
E / D-E-G#-B (5)   
A / C#-E-A (1)     
(repeat)



7-3-6-2-3-4-5-1 progression

G# / F#-B-D (7)         
C# / F-A-B-E (3)   
F# / E-A-C# (6)       
B / F-A-B-D (2)
C# / E-A-C# (3)
D / F-A-B-D (4)
E / E-A-C# (5)
E / D-E-A-B (5)     
E / D-E-G#-B (5)   
A / C#-E-A (1)     
(repeat)



6-2-5-1 progression

F# / E-A-C# (6)                           
B / D#-A-C# (2)           
E / D-G-B (5)                       
A / C#-G-B (1)               
(repeat)                                       

F# / E-A-C# (6)
B / D#-F#-A-C# (2)
E / D-G-B (5)
A / C#-E-G-B (1)
(repeat)

F# / E-A-C# (6)
B / D#-G#-B# (2)
E / D-G-B (5)
A / C#-F#-A# (1)
(repeat)                 

F# / E-G#-A-C# (6)                     
B / D#-G#-A-C# (2)             
E / D-F#-G-B (5)                       
A / C#-F#-G-B (1)                 
(repeat)

F# / E-G#-A-C# (6)
B / D#-F#-A-C# (2)
E / D-F#-G-B (5)
A / C#-E-G-B (1)
(repeat)



6-b6-5-1 progression

F# / E-A-C# (6)                               
F / Eb-Ab-C (b6)             
E / D-G-B (5)                                   
A / C#-G-B (1)                             
(repeat)                                                   

F# / E-A-C# (6)
F / Eb-Ab-C (b6)
E / D-G-B (5)
A / C#-F#-A# (1)
(repeat)

F# / E-G#-A-C# (6)
F / Eb-G-Ab-C (b6)
E / D-G-B (5)
A / C#-G-B (1)
(repeat)



6-2-5-1-4 progression

F# / E-A-C# (6)           
B / D#-A-C# (2)     
E / G-B-D-F# (5)     
A / G-B-C#-E  or  A / G-B-D#-F# (1)
D / F#-A-C#-E (4)
(repeat)



2-1-b7-b6-5 progression

B / A-D-F# (2)             
A / B-E-G# (1)               
G / C-F-A (b7)       
F / D-G-B (b6)       
E / E-A-C# (5)             
(repeat)                     

B / D-F#-A (2)             
A / E-G#-B (1)               
G / F-A-C (b7)       
F / G-B-D (b6)       
E / A-C#-E (5)             
(repeat)                         

B / F#-A-D (2)             
A / G#-B-E (1)               
G / A-C-F (b7)       
F / B-D-G (b6)       
E / C#-E-A (5)             
(repeat)



4-3-2-3-4-6-2-3 progression

D / C#-F#-A (4)       
C# / B-E-G# (3)     
B / A-D-F# (2)     
C# / B-E-G# (3)     
D / C#-F#-A (4)     
F# / B-E-G# (6)     
B / A-D-F# (2)     
C# / B-E-G# (3)     
(repeat)               

D / F#-A-C# (4)       
C# / E-G#-B (3)     
B / D-F#-A (2)     
C# / E-G#-B (3)     
D / F#-A-C# (4)     
F# / E-G#-B (6)     
B / D-F#-A (2)     
C# / E-G#-B (3)     
(repeat)               

D / A-C#-F# (4)       
C# / G#-B-E (3)     
B / F#-A-D (2)     
C# / G#-B-E (3)     
D / A-C#-F# (4)     
F# / G#-B-E (6)     
B / F#-A-D (2)     
C# / G#-B-E (3)     
(repeat)               



3-4-5-6 progression

C# / Aadd9 (3)     
D / Dadd9 (4)     
E / Aadd9 (5)   
F# / Dadd9 (6)     
(repeat)             

C# / B-C#-E-A (3)
D / A-D-E-F# (4)
E / A-B-C#-E (5)
F# / E-F#-A-D (6)
(repeat)



4-4-3-6-5 progression

D / F#-A-C# (4)
D / E-G#-B (4)
C# / E-G#-B (3)
F# / E-G#-B (6)
E / C#-F#-A# (5)
(repeat)



6-3-4-5-b6 progression

F# / C#-F#-A (6)
C# / B-E-G# (3)
D / C#-F#-A (4)
E / B-E-G#  or  E / D-F#-A (5)
F / B-D-F-G# (b6)
(repeat)

[musallio]

Thanks T..

Just a quick lil progression I like in A:

A/ E-G#-C#
B/ F#-A-D
C#/A-C#-E
D/A-C#-F#
Db,B/-- (passing)

C#/G#-C-C#-F
D#/C#-F#-A#
F/C-F-G#
F#/C#-F#-A
F#,E,Eb/-- (passing)

and then carry on from there as you feel :-)

This is how I view this progression:

it is a 1-4 walk-up in the initial major key (being A in this case).
Then you resort to
the 5th of the minor 6th of that major key (in this case being an F#min.)

so you play a 5-6-7-1.

enjoy

[T-Block]

Thanks T..

Just a quick lil progression I like in A:

A/ E-G#-C#
B/ F#-A-D
C#/A-C#-E
D/A-C#-F#
Db,B/-- (passing)

C#/G#-C-C#-F
D#/C#-F#-A#
F/C-F-G#
F#/C#-F#-A
F#,E,Eb/-- (passing)

and then carry on from there as you feel :-)

I love this progression man. Nice addition!!!

[T-Block]

This is the end of the Key of A month. I guess a lot of people are scared of this key, but it's all good. Thanks to all who participated. On to the next key!!!

[chevonee]

I'm still working on all these white keys Mr. Block. Anywho can you give me an example of a song that is actually written and song in this key by someone we all know such as (Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Israel and New Breed, etc.

Just to explain, I am currently making a list of songs made by well-known people in each key so that I can have an example you know like
C- Never would've made it (Marvin Sapp)
D- don't know yet
E- I'm not forgotten (Israel and New Breed)
F- Great is your mercy (Donnie McClurkin)
etc, etc, etc.....

I think this will help me..I don't know about anyone else.

[T-Block]

One song that comes to mind is "Oh My Soul Loves Jesus" by Kurt Carr. Another song, in F# minor (which is the same as A major) is "Manifest" by T.D. Jakes.

Picking a well-known song in each key is good, but it won't help much if you don't practice the basics in every key. Why? Because whenever you get to the key, you will only be able to play those selected songs.

My goal is to get you to play in every key, not just a song here and there.

[chevonee]

One song that comes to mind is "Oh My Soul Loves Jesus" by Kurt Carr. Another song, in F# minor (which is the same as A major) is "Manifest" by T.D. Jakes.

Picking a well-known song in each key is good, but it won't help much if you don't practice the basics in every key. Why? Because whenever you get to the key, you will only be able to play those selected songs.

My goal is to get you to play in every key, not just a song here and there.

Thanks friend!!