Old Folks in A

Old Folks in A

A nostalgic ballad with rich harmonic movement, a favorite of Charlie Parker and many modern jazz players.

Old Folks 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 C# (descending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to A (ascending minor third), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to F# (ascending major third), F# to E (descending whole step), E to D (descending whole step), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth). 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.