Good Bait in A#

Tadd Dameron / Count Basie(1944)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
A♯7/D
G♯9♯11
F7♭9♯9♭5♯5

Chord Diagrams — Good Bait in A# (Guitar)

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Good Bait 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 minor third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to D (descending minor third), D to A# (descending major third), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to A# (descending minor third), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to F (ascending whole step), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to F (descending half step), F to G# (ascending minor third), G# to G (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 G to A# 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.

swing4/4 · 26 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A♯6, Gm7, Cm7, F7, Dm7, A♯7, A♯7/D, D♯Maj7, G♯9♯11, C♯m7, A♯Maj7, F7♭9♯9♭5♯5, D♯6, Fm7, D♯7, D♯7/G, G♯Maj7, C♯9♯11, F♯m7, F♯13, F13, G♯7, G7.

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

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