Night And Day in A#

Night And Day in A#

Night And Day in A#: Cole Porter's masterpiece featuring a dramatic bVI-V-I resolution that creates immediate tension and release. Mixolydian over the dominant sections, Dorian on the ii chords, Bebop Major at home. Changes: Cm7b5 – F7 – A#Maj7 – Em7b5 – D#m7 – Dm7 – C#dim7 – Cm7 – G#7 – C#Maj7 – A#6 – C7.

Night And Day 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 C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to E (ascending tritone), E to D# (descending half step), D# to D (descending half step), D to C# (descending half step), C# to C (descending half step), C to G# (descending major third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to A# (descending minor third), A# to C (ascending 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 C to C by unison.

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.