How to practice A String of Pearls with play-along tracks?

Use the play-along backing track above to practice A String of Pearls in the key of A#. Listen to the audio with bass, piano, and drums, start by playing the melody, then practice improvisation and soloing over the chord changes.

What scales to use for soloing over A String of Pearls?

For soloing over A String of Pearls, recommended scales include: bebop, bebop major. Use arpeggio patterns over each chord to create melodic lines that follow the harmony of this jazz tune.

Who composed A String of Pearls?

A String of Pearls was composed by Jerry Gray / Eddie DeLange in 1941. It is a swing standard in 4/4 time. The original key is G; this page shows it transposed to A#.

What key is A String of Pearls in?

The original key of A String of Pearls is G. The form is A with 36 bars. This page shows the chart transposed to A#.

What scales work for improvising over A String of Pearls?

Recommended scales for A String of Pearls in A#: bebop, bebop major. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays, with context-aware analysis (e.g., Phrygian Dominant over secondary dominants).

How does the interactive backing track work?

The backing track plays with realistic walking bass, drum patterns, and voice-led chord voicings. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays. You can limit the fretboard zone for close-proximity voicings, toggle a reference melody, loop any section, and choose between multiple sound presets. Works for guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and 7 more instruments.

Can I edit the chord chart?

Yes. You can modify the structure, chords, and arrangement of any standard to match your preferred version or create your own reharmonization.

A String of Pearls in A#

Jerry Gray / Eddie DeLange(1941)swing

Do Re MiC D E

BPM: 120

Chord Diagrams — A String of Pearls in A# (Guitar)

Display

FingerNoteDegree

Chord Voicings Closest Voicing

Cm7/F

F♯7/F

A String of Pearls 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 F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to D# (ascending minor third), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to F (ascending whole step), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to F# (ascending tritone). The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from F# to F by half 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.

swing4/4 · 36 bars · Form: A

Chords: F7, A♯, A♯Maj7, A♯7, A♯6, A♯aug, C7, D♯, D♯Maj7, D♯7, D♯6, D♯aug, F, Cm7/F, F♯7/F.

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

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