Leaps and Bounds
by Paul Kelly
Difficulty Profile
Skill LevelOverall
BeginnerRhythm
BeginnerLead
IntermediateBass
BeginnerWhy "Leaps and Bounds" Works Harmonically
Beyond standard guitar tabs and chord charts, discover the exact music theory mechanics, modal interchange, and voice leading choices that give Paul Kelly's classic its unforgettable emotional power.
The Driving Australian Pub Rock Cadence with Mixolydian โญVII and Open Chime Voicings
Paul Kelly's love letter to Melbourne is built on an unstoppable straight-eighth rhythm that captures the energy of Australian pub rock. Using bright open chords (A, D, E, F#m) with ringing open strings and a punchy โญVII (G major) modal injection, the progression propels the vivid storytelling forward without pausing for breath.
Harmonic Progression (Roman Numerals)
I - V - IV - I (Verse) | vi - IV - I - V (Chorus)Step-by-Step Movement
- โขA (I): The grounded, celebratory open major tonic.
- โขE (V): The driving dominant pushing the rhythm with classic rock vigor.
- โขD (IV): The uplifting plagal subdominant bringing warmth and optimism.
- โขF#m (vi): The relative minor giving the chorus a moment of nostalgic reflection.
- โขG (โญVII): Borrowed Mixolydian chord injecting raw pub-rock swagger into the transition.
Voice Leading & Counterpoint
- โบThe rhythm guitar alternates between open chord strums and muted eighth-note downstrokes, maintaining tight sync with the snare drum.
- โบLetting the open B and high E strings ring across the D and A chords creates a shimmering Australian jangly guitar texture.
- โบThe chorus modulates the emotional tone by leading with the minor vi chord before climbing through IV, I, and V.
Fretboard Mechanics
Keep your strumming wrist relaxed and maintain a steady straight-eighth down-up rhythm. Accent beats 2 and 4 to lock in with the snare drum.
Keep your chord progression direct and melodic when writing narrative story songs. The familiar I - V - IV - vi framework gives the listener instant comfort, allowing the lyrical imagery to take center stage.
The diatonic foundation for the verse and chorus progressions.
Introduces the borrowed G major chord for pub-rock drive.
Major key foundation for the optimistic, anthemic melody.
Open A, D, E, and G chords providing maximum acoustic resonance.
F#m barre chord anchoring the chorus.
Musical Analysis
๐น Key & Tonality
โฑ๏ธ Song Structure
๐ก Understanding A major:
A major has a bright, uplifting character typical of major keys. The Crisp, autumnal Melbourne jangle-rock combining bright A Ionian verse drive with nostalgic F#m and Bm minor shading mode gives it a stable, resolved feeling. This key works well for anthemic rock songs and creates a powerful, confident mood.
Drives the chiming A major jangle-rock chord progressions and Steve Connolly's melodic intro/outro guitar hook
Relative minor harmony grounding the memorable chorus ('I'm high on the hill, looking over the bridge to the MCG')
The harmonic character shaping A major
Understand major chord construction and voicings
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in A major
A major
Notes: A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G# - A
Application: Drives the chiming A major jangle-rock chord progressions and Steve Connolly's melodic intro/outro guitar hook
Interactive Fretboard Map
Chord Progressions & Movement
Main Progression
Classic Australian songwriting craft: the verse propels forward on a brisk I - V - IV - I rhythm before the chorus lifts into the relative minor (vi - IV - I - V) for emotional resonance.
๐ก Theory Insight:
This progression creates a specific harmonic movement that defines the song's emotional character. Understanding the relationship between these chords helps in improvisation and songwriting.
Chord Shapes In This Section:
A
E
D
F#m
Harmonic Functions & Roles:
- A (I)Crisp major tonic anchoring the brisk walking pace across Melbourne
- E (V)Dominant chord stepping down to D in the verse and propelling the chorus turnaround
- D (IV)Warm subdominant cushion in both the verse and chorus
- Bm (ii)Predominant minor second chord creating the pre-chorus lift
Key Techniques
Jangle-Rock Eighth-Note Strumming & Chiming Triad Hooks
BeginnerMaintaining a propulsive 120 BPM acoustic rhythm with accented backbeats while weaving bright, upper-register electric triad melodies on the G, B, and high E strings
Uses chords:
Progression:
A - E - D - A | F#m - D - A - E
Technique Tips:
- โขKeep your strumming motion compact and wrist-driven so the 120 BPM pace feels effortless and brisk
- โขLet the open high E string ring during the A and E chords for extra jangle-pop shimmer
- โขPractice transitioning smoothly into the Bm and F#m barre chords without breaking your right-hand strumming pulse
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of A major. Switch instrument sounds (Acoustic Steel, Nylon, Clean Electric, Piano) and practice at your own tempo.
Intro & Verse Jangle Progression
Verse Rhythm Progression
Brisk, walking-tempo A - E - D - A progression capturing the crisp air of Melbourne in autumn.
- โขAccent beats 2 and 4 with a crisp snare-like strum
- โขKeep the E-to-D transition tight and clean
- โขMaintain steady 120 BPM forward motion
Chorus ('High on the Hill')
Chorus Chord Progression
Soaring F#m - D - A - E chorus progression looking out over Punt Road and the MCG.
- โขHit the 2nd-fret F#m barre chord firmly on beat 1 of the chorus
- โขLet the D major and A major chords bloom with full sustain
- โขUse the E major chord at the end of the line to launch into the next phrase
Steve Connolly Chiming Lead Hook
Connolly Style Jangle Lead Hook
Bright, chiming A major melodic lead hook played on the G, B, and high E strings.
- โขFret the D-shape A major triad at the 9th and 10th frets (9.3, 10.2, 9.1)
- โขLet the notes ring together like a 12-string Rickenbacker or Telecaster
- โขStep down smoothly through the E and D triad notes
Equipment & Tone Setup
๐ธ Guitar
Recommended Model:
Pickup Type:
Acoustic piezo/mic blend for rhythm; Telecaster bridge + neck pickup for jangle lead hooks
โก Amplifier & Settings
Recommended Amp:
Tone Stack Dial-In:
Gain: 3 (sparkling clean with light studio compression)
Treble: 7 (bright, bell-like jangle)
Middle: 6 (clear vocal-supporting midrange)
Bass: 5 (tight, uncluttered low end)
Presence: 6 (crisp top-end air)
๐๏ธ Effects Pedals
Overdrive / Distortion:
Clean boost or very light transparent overdrive for lead breaks
Reverb / Delay:
Bright plate reverb
Modulation / Other:
Boss CS-3 Compression Sustainer for even, ringing jangle sustain
Recommended Learning Path
Open Verse Chords & Steady Pulse
โฑ๏ธ 1-2 weeks
- โขMaster the open A, E, and D major chords
- โขPractice the verse cycle (A - E - D - A) with steady eighth-note strumming at 100 BPM โ 120 BPM
- โขUse F#m7 (2-X-2-2-2-0) and Bm7 (X-2-0-2-3-2) as stepping stones for the barre chords
Full Barre Chords & Pre-Chorus Lift
โฑ๏ธ 2-3 weeks
- โขPlay the full Bm (2nd fret A-string barre) and F#m (2nd fret E-string barre) chords cleanly
- โขConnect the Verse โ Pre-Chorus (Bm - D - E) โ Chorus (F#m - D - A - E) seamlessly
- โขLock in the brisk 120 BPM acoustic strumming groove
Steve Connolly's High Triad Hooks
โฑ๏ธ 3-4 weeks
- โขLearn the 9th-position triad arpeggio hook on the top three strings
- โขSwitch between rhythm strumming and the high electric hook for a two-guitar arrangement
- โขPerform with full vocal storytelling and dynamic builds
Practice Notes & Routine
โ ๏ธ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- โขSlowing down when transitioning from open A or E into the Bm and F#m barre chords
- โขStrumming too heavily with a stiff arm instead of keeping a light, brisk wrist motion
- โขChoking the high E string during the 9th-fret triad arpeggio hook
โฑ๏ธTargeted Practice Routine
0/4 Completed (0%)Check off each segment during your session to track your practice progress:
- 5 minutes: Verse A โ E โ D โ A strumming warm-up at 120 BPM
- 5 minutes: Pre-chorus and chorus barre chord drill (Bm โ D โ E โ F#m โ D โ A โ E)
- 5 minutes: 9th-position triad arpeggio hook on strings 3, 2, and 1
- 5 minutes: Complete song performance
๐ฏ Key Focus Areas
- โขEffortless 2nd-fret barre shifts between F#m and Bm
- โขConsistent eighth-note strumming pocket
- โขClean note separation in the upper-register triad hook
โฑ๏ธ Metronome Drills
- โขStart at 95 BPM to ensure the Bm and F#m barre changes land right on beat 1
- โขBuild to 120 BPM with crisp accents on beats 2 and 4
- โขPractice the arpeggio hook against the metronome click without rushing