Autumn Leaves in A

Autumn Leaves in A

Play Autumn Leaves in A with chords Dm7 – G7 – CMaj7 – FMaj7 – Bm7b5 – E7 – Am – E7b9 – Am7 – D7 – Gm7 – C7. This essential jazz standard by Joseph Kosma features a classic ii-V-I progression through relative major and minor keys. Practice chord voicings, scales for improvisation, and audio playback in A.

Autumn Leaves 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 G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to B (ascending tritone), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth). 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 C to D 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.