By Myself in A#

Arthur Schwartz / Howard Dietz(1937)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
F7sus4

Chord Diagrams — By Myself in A# (Guitar)

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By Myself 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 D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C (ascending major third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to E (ascending tritone), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to F (descending whole step), F to D (descending minor third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth). 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 G to A 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.

swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Am7♭5, D7, Fm7, A♯7, D♯Maj7, G♯7, Cm7, F7sus4, A♯, Em7♭5, A7, Dm7♭5, G7, F7, Dm7, Gm7.

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

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