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I'll Remember April in A#
I'll Remember April in A#: this pop standard turned jazz vehicle moves from a bright major opening to minor mid-section. Bebop Major and Dorian cover the two contrasting tonal areas — Mixolydian drives the dominant passages throughout. Chords: Cm7b5 – F7 – F7/c – Dm7 – G9 – Cm7 – F7b9 – A# – BMaj7 – A#69 – A#6 – D#9 – G#Maj7 – Gm7 – C7 – A#Maj7 – D#m7 – G#7 – C#Maj7 – A#m7 – C#6 – Cm11 – Am11 – D9 – GMaj7 – G6.
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 C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to F (ascending unison), F to D (descending minor third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to B (ascending half step), B to A# (descending half step), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to G (descending half step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to A# (descending whole step), 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 C# (ascending minor third), C# to C (descending half step), C to A (descending minor third), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to G (ascending unison). 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 C by perfect fourth.
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.