For Heaven's Sake in A#

Elise Bretton / Sherman Edwards / Donald Meyer(1948)ballad
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — For Heaven's Sake in A# (Guitar)

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For Heaven's Sake 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 F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to B (descending half step), B to A# (descending half step), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to C# (descending whole step), C# to D (ascending half step), D to F (ascending minor third), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to B (ascending half step), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to G (descending half step), G to F# (descending half step), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to A# (ascending major third), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to B (ascending half 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 B to F by tritone.

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.

ballad4/4 · 26 bars · Form: AB

Chords: F7♭9, Cm7♭5, Bdim7, A♯Maj7, A♯7, D♯m7, C♯dim, Dm7, F7, Cm7, A♯6, Bm6, G♯m7, Gdim, F♯m7, F♯Maj7, A♯m♯5, A♯m, A♯m7, A♯m6, Bdim.

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

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