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A Night In Tunisia in A#
A Night In Tunisia in A# — Dizzy Gillespie's Afro-Cuban landmark built on Phrygian Dominant, the scale that evokes North African atmosphere. Harmonic Minor over the minor sections completes the exotic modal palette. Changes: B7 – A#m6 – Cm7b5 – F7b9 – A#m – Fm7b5 – A#7b9 – D#m7 – D#m7b5 – G#7b9 – C#maj7 – B7#11 – A#m7 – D#7#11 – D#mMaj7 – D7#9.
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 B to A# (descending half step), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to B (descending whole step), B to A# (descending half step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to D (descending 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 D to B by minor third.
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.