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East St. Louis Toodle-oo 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 A# (ascending unison), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to F (ascending whole step), F to F# (ascending half step), F# to F (descending half step), F to A (ascending major third), A to G# (descending half step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth), C# to F (ascending major third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A (descending half step), A to G# (descending half step), G# to G (descending half step), G to F (descending whole step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. 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.