Let's Call the Whole Thing Off in A#

George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin(1937)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
A♯7/G♯
D♯m6/F♯
D♯6/G
A♯6/F
A♯7/G♯
D♯m6/F♯
D♯6/G
F9sus4
A♯6/F
G7/G♯
D♯m6/F♯
D♯6/G
A♯6/F
D7♯5
F13

Chord Diagrams — Let's Call the Whole Thing Off in A# (Guitar)

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FingerNoteDegree

Let's Call the Whole Thing Off 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 G to A# (ascending minor third), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to G (ascending major third), G to A# (ascending minor third), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to E (descending half step), E to D (descending whole step), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to G (descending whole step), G to A# (ascending minor third), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to G (ascending whole step), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to F (ascending minor third). 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 F to G 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.

swing2/2 · 34 bars · Form: A

Chords: Gm9, A♯6, F7♭9, Cm7, A♯7/G♯, D♯m6/F♯, D♯6/G, Gm7, A♯6/F, F7, C7, F9sus4, Em7♭5, Dm7, A7♭9, G7♭9, A♯9, F9, G7/G♯, D7♯5, F13.

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

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