What key is Come Rain Or Come Shine in?

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 E (ascending tritone), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to C (ascending unison), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to C (descending minor third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to F (ascending unison), F to F (ascending unison), F to G (ascending whole step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to G# (ascending minor third), G# to D (ascending tritone), D to F# (ascending major third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to D (descending whole step), D to D# (ascending half step), D# to G (ascending major third), G to G# (ascending half step), G# to C (ascending major third), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to C (descending half 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 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: La♯Maj7, Mim7♭5, Lam7♭5, Re7♭9, Solm7, Do9, Dom7, Fa7, La♯7, Fam7, Re♯m7, La♯m, Re♯m, Dom7♭5, Fa7♭5, Fa75, Fa7♯5, Solm7♭5, Do7♭9, Fam, Sol♯m7, Rem7, Fa♯m7♭5, Sim7, Mi7, Re7, Re♯7, Sol7, Sol♯Maj7, Do7, Do♯9, Do7/f.

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