In a Sentimental Mood

In a Sentimental Mood in A#

In a Sentimental Mood in A#: Ellington's ballad moves between minor and major with aching beauty, favoring Dorian over minor chords and Melodic Minor over the tonic. Harmonic Minor colors the cadential V7 moments. Chords: A#m – A#mMaj7 – A#m7 – A#m6 – D#m – D#mMaj7 – D#m7 – Cm7b5 – F7 – A#7 – G#7b9 – C#maj7 – C#6 – Bm7 – E7 – Amaj7 – F#m7 – A6 – F#7#5 – B7 – G#7.

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 A# (ascending unison), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to C (descending minor third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to G# (descending whole step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to C# (ascending unison), C# to B (descending whole step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to A (ascending minor third), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to G# (descending minor third). 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 whole step.

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.