Love For Sale in A#

Cole Porter(1930)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A

Chord Diagrams — Love For Sale in A# (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree

Love For Sale 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 D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to C (ascending tritone), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F (ascending major third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to G (descending minor third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F# (ascending tritone), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to C# (ascending whole step). 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 C# to D# 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.

swing4/4 · 64 bars · Form: A

Chords: D♯7, A♯m, D♯m, G♯7, C♯, F♯7, Cm7♭5, F7♯9, D♯m7, G♯7♭9, C♯Maj7, Fm7, A♯7, A♯7♭9, Gm7♭5, C7♭9, F♯m7, B7, C♯7.

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

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