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Dindi in A#
Jobim's romantic bossa gem draws Lydian luminosity and Bebop Major warmth into a deeply expressive A# setting. The expansive melody demands broad phrasing and sensitive dynamic control from any soloist. Internalize the A#maj7 – G#maj7 – Gmaj7 – Em9 – Am9 – D13 – Fm7 – A#7 – D#maj7 – D#mMaj7 – A#6 – Em7b5 – A7b9 – Dm – A#m6 – Dm7 – G7b9 – Cm – G#m6 – Cm7 – F7b9 – G#7 changes to experience how Lydian color transforms major harmony into something genuinely transcendent.
Key of A#
A# (Bb) major requires barre chords rooted at fret 1 on the A string or fret 6 on the E string. Despite the barre demands, it is a common key in funk, New Orleans R&B, and brass band music. The open D string can ring as the major third for added color. A# is a intermediate-level key on guitar because the open D string is the major 3rd of Bb, adding a bright color if allowed to ring. Expect to rely on barre chords throughout, which builds hand strength and unlocks the entire fretboard.
Voice Leading
The bass line moves through A# to G# (descending whole step), G# to G (descending half step), G to E (descending minor third), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to E (ascending tritone), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to A# (descending major third), A# to D (ascending major third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to G# (descending major third), G# to C (ascending major third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to G# (ascending minor third). 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 G# 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.