Bock to Bock in A#

Buddy Montgomery(1957)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Bock to Bock in A# (Guitar)

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Bock to Bock 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 G (ascending unison), G to D# (descending major third), D# to D (descending half step), D to E (ascending whole step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to C# (ascending major third), C# to C (descending half step), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to D (ascending half step), D to C (descending whole step), C to E (ascending major third), E to D# (descending half step), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to A (descending half step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. 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 · 25 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Gm7, Gm7/F, D♯7, D7, Em7♭5, Am7♭5, C♯7♭5, C7, C♯dim7, Dm7, CMaj7, Em7, D♯7♭5, A♯m7, Am7, D7♯5.

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

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