Body And Soul in La#

Body And Soul in La#

Body And Soul in A# — immortalized by Coleman Hawkins, famous for its enharmonic modulation to the tritone key in the bridge. Lydian Dominant colors the bridge dominants; Bebop Major rules the outer sections. Changes: Cm7 – Gm7 – F7 – A#Maj7 – D#m6 – Dm7 – C#dim7 – Bm7 – E7 – AMaj7 – C#m7 – Am7 – D7 – C7.

Body And Soul in La#

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

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.