Just Friends in A#
Just Friends in A#
Just Friends in A#: a swinging 32-bar form with brief tonicizations that test your ability to track key centers. Bebop Major handles the home key; Dorian and Mixolydian navigate the secondary dominant moves. Changes: D#Maj7 – D#m7 – G#7 – A#Maj7 – C#m7 – F#7 – Cm7 – F7 – Dm7 – Gm7 – C7 – E7 – A#6 – Fm7 – A#7.
Just Friends in 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 D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to A# (ascending whole step), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to C (ascending tritone), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to D (descending minor third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to E (ascending major third), E to A# (ascending tritone), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth). 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 A# to D# 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.