Bebop in A#

Dizzy Gillespie / Stan Getz / Sonny Stitt(1958)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
D♯aug♭9add7
C♯aug7
F11♭9

Chord Diagrams — Bebop in A# (Guitar)

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FingerNoteDegree

Bebop 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 A# to C (ascending whole step), C to D# (ascending minor third), D# to C (descending minor third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A (ascending major third), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to A# (ascending major third), 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 (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 F to A# 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.

swing2/2 · 35 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A♯m6, Cdim, D♯dim, C7, F7♯9, Adim, F♯dim, A♯m7, D♯aug♭9add7, G♯Maj7, G♯m7, C♯aug7, F♯Maj7, F11♭9.

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

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