Fly Me To The Moon in A#

Fly Me To The Moon in A#

A# version of Fly Me To The Moon: a cycle-of-fourths progression (vi-ii-V-I) that swings effortlessly. Bebop Major handles the major chords; Mixolydian adds bluesy color over the dominants. Changes: Gm7 – Cm7 – F7 – A#Maj7 – D#Maj7 – Am7b5 – D7b9 – G7b9 – F9 – F7b9 – A#maj9 – Gm9 – D#dim7/c – Am7 – D7 – F7/f – Dm7b5 – Cm7/g – A#6 – G#9 – G#6 – A6 – A#69.

Fly Me To The Moon in 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 G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to A (ascending tritone), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to F (descending whole step), F to F (ascending unison), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to G (descending minor third), G to D# (descending major third), D# to A (ascending tritone), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third), F to D (descending minor third), D to C (descending whole step), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to G# (descending whole step), G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to A (ascending half step), A to A# (ascending 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 A# to G 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.