My Favorite Things in A#

My Favorite Things in A#

My Favorite Things in A#: Coltrane transformed Rodgers & Hammerstein's waltz into a modal exploration alternating Dorian and major sections. Harmonic Minor and Aeolian frame the minor parts — sustain the pedal tones and let the modes expand. Chords: Gm7 – Am7 – D#Maj7 – Cm7 – F7 – A#Maj7 – Am7b5 – D7 – C7 – A#6.

My Favorite Things 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 G to A (ascending whole step), A to D# (ascending tritone), D# to C (descending minor third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A (descending half step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to C (descending whole step), C to A# (descending whole step). 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 A# to G by minor third.

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.