Comin' In On a Wing and a Prayer in A#

Jimmy McHugh / Harold Adamson(1943)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
C7/G
Adim7/C
F7/C

Chord Diagrams — Comin' In On a Wing and a Prayer in A# (Guitar)

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FingerNoteDegree

Comin' In On a Wing and a Prayer 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 G# (descending whole step), G# to F (descending minor third), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to B (ascending half step), B to F (ascending tritone), F to F# (ascending half step), F# to C (ascending tritone), C to A (descending minor third), A to F (descending major third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to C (descending minor third), C to E (ascending major third), E to C (descending major third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth). 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 F to A# 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.

swing2/2 · 58 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A♯6, G♯7, F, C7, A♯7, Bdim7, F/C, F♯dim7, C7/G, Adim7/C, F7, A♯, D♯6, D♯, C7♭5, Edim7, Cm7, F7/C.

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

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