I Know Why (And So Do You) in A#

Glenn Miller(1941)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — I Know Why (And So Do You) in A# (Guitar)

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I Know Why (And So Do You) 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 A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to D (descending half step), D to D (ascending unison), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to F (descending whole step), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to C (ascending unison), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to G (ascending whole step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to A (descending half step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to B (descending minor third), B to A (descending whole step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth). 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 D to A# by major 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 · 29 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A♯, Gm, Cm7, F7, A♯7, D♯, D7, Dm7, G7, F7♯5, C9, Cm7♭5, F7♭9, Gm7, Cdim, A♯m, A7♭9, Dm, Bdim7, A7, D7♭5.

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

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