Bluff in A#

Lelio Luttazzi()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
C♯/F
C♯/F

Chord Diagrams — Bluff in A# (Guitar)

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FingerNoteDegree

Bluff 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 C# to F (ascending major third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to E (ascending tritone), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to A# (descending minor third), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to F (descending minor third), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to G (descending perfect fourth), G to G# (ascending half step), G# to F (descending minor third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (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 D# to C# by whole 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.

swing2/2 · 34 bars · Form: AB

Chords: C♯, F7, A♯m, Edim, C♯/F, A♯m7, D♯m7, G♯7, G♯aug, Fm, C7, Gm7, G♯dim, F7/A, A♯7, D♯7.

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

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