26 - 2 in A#

John Coltrane(1960)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A

Chord Diagrams — 26 - 2 in A# (Guitar)

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26 - 2 in A#

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

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.

swing4/4 · 33 bars · Form: A

Chords: C♯7, A♯, A7, F♯, F7, D, A♯7, Fm7, F♯7, D♯, D7, B, C7, Gm, Cm, Fm, A7/E, Am, G, G♯m.

Scales for Improvisation A# bebop, A# bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A#