How Little We Know in A#

Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer(1944)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
G♯13
A♯69
A♯69
G♯13
A♯13
G♯13
F7sus4
A♯69

Chord Diagrams — How Little We Know in A# (Guitar)

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FingerNoteDegree

How Little We Know 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 A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to D (ascending whole step), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to B (descending half step), B to D# (ascending major third), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to A# (ascending whole step), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to D (ascending half step), D to C# (descending half step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to F (descending half step), F to F (ascending unison), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to F (descending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. When the progression loops, the bass returns from F to F by unison.

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 · 33 bars · Form: A

Chords: F7, A♯Maj7, Cm7, Dm7, Gm7, Cm9, B7, D♯m9, G♯13, A♯69, C♯m7, Dm9, C♯m9, F♯9, F7♭9, Fm9, A♯13, A♯7♭9, F7sus4.

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

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