Ace in the Hole in A#

Cole Porter(1941)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
A♯/D
Dm7♭5/G♯
Cm7♭5/F♯

Chord Diagrams — Ace in the Hole in A# (Guitar)

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Ace in the Hole 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 G to A (ascending whole step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to G (ascending unison), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to F (ascending unison), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to B (ascending half step), B to A (descending whole step), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to D# (descending half step), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to D (ascending major third), D to C (descending whole step), C to C (ascending unison), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth). 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 A# to G 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.

swing2/2 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: Gm, A7, D7, G7, G7♭9, C7, F7, F7♭9, A♯7, Bdim, Am7♭5, Em7♭5, D♯dim, A♯/D, Dm7♭5/G♯, Cm7, Cm7♭5/F♯, Fsus4, A♯.

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

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