Walk Down in A
Lesson Goals:
♦ Determine relative minor of A major
♦ Learn walk down from A to F#m (Gbm)
♦ Play a walk down chord progression
In this lesson we will progress through walk downs based on the C-A-G-E-D open chords by doing a walk down in A major.
We want to first determine the relative minor of the A major chord.
By starting on the A note (on the 5th fret of the 6th string), we simply count down 3 frets, which puts us on the 2nd fret of the 6th string. As you already know this note is an F# (F sharp), and it is also a Gb (G flat).
So the relative minor of A major is an F#m (or a Gbm). Both are the same chord depending on how the chord progression is played. For purposes of this lesson we will refer to it a an F#m (F sharp minor) chord. Just know that it is also a Gbm chord.
To play this walk down we will start by playing the open A major chord using the one finger method. Then we will play the note on the 4th fret of the 6th string with the 3rd finger. This is our passing note and you want to try and play this note while using side the same 3rd finger to slightly mute the open 5th string so that it does not sound.
Then you will resolve the walk down on the F#m chord. Take a look below.
Now let's look at a common chord progression that incorporates the A walk down.
Here is a little piece that you can play finger style. It is another commonly heard walk down that is based solely on the bass notes walking over an open A chord. Give it a try!
