Cherokee in La#

Cherokee in La#

Cherokee in A# — a bebop rite of passage at up tempo, with a bridge that descends through ii-V pairs a half step at a time. Lydian Dominant navigates the remote key centers; Bebop Major handles the A sections. Changes: A#Maj7 – Fm7 – A#7 – D#Maj7 – G#7 – Cm7 – F7 – C#m7 – F#7 – BMaj7 – Bm7 – E7 – AMaj7 – Am7 – D7 – GMaj7.

Cherokee 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 A# to F (descending perfect fourth), 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 C# (descending major third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to B (ascending unison), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to A (ascending unison), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), 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 minor third.

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.