Oh! Look at Me Now in A#

Joe Bushkin / John DeVries(1941)swing

Oh! Look at Me Now 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 A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to A# (ascending whole step), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to F# (ascending tritone), F# to A (ascending minor third), A to G (descending whole step), G to E (descending minor third), E to D (descending whole step), D to C (descending whole step). The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from C to A# 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 · 29 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A♯7, F7, D♯Maj7, D♯m7, G♯7, A♯Maj7, C7, F♯7, A7, G7, E7, Dm7, Cm7.

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

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