All The Things You Are in A#

J. Kern()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
D7♯5

Chord Diagrams — All The Things You Are in A# (Guitar)

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All The Things You Are 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 C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to E (ascending half step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to C (descending whole step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to B (ascending tritone), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to B (ascending whole step), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to D (descending major third), D to G# (ascending tritone), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to D (ascending half step), D to D (ascending unison). 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 G 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 · 36 bars · Form: A

Chords: Gm7, Cm7, F7, A♯Maj7, D♯Maj7, Em7, A7, DMaj7, Dm7, C7, FMaj7, Bm7♭5, E7, AMaj7, Bm7, G♯m7♭5, C♯7, F♯Maj7, D7♯5, G♯7, C♯dim7, D7, D7♯9.

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

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