Who composed Poor Butterfly?

Poor Butterfly was composed by Raymond Hubbell. It is a ballad standard in 4/4 time. The original key is Ab; this page shows it transposed to A#.

What key is Poor Butterfly in?

The original key of Poor Butterfly is Ab. The form is ABAC with 30 bars. This page shows the chart transposed to A#.

What scales work for improvising over Poor Butterfly?

Recommended scales for Poor Butterfly in A#: bebop, bebop major. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays, with context-aware analysis (e.g., Phrygian Dominant over secondary dominants).

How does the interactive backing track work?

The backing track plays with realistic walking bass, drum patterns, and voice-led chord voicings. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays. You can limit the fretboard zone for close-proximity voicings, toggle a reference melody, loop any section, and choose between multiple sound presets. Works for guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and 7 more instruments.

Can I edit the chord chart?

Yes. You can modify the structure, chords, and arrangement of any standard to match your preferred version or create your own reharmonization.

Poor Butterfly in A#

Raymond Hubbell()balladModerately Slow

Do Re MiC D E

Section A

♬

D7♯5

Section B

♬

D7♯5

♬

Section A

♬

D7♯5

Section C

♬

BPM: 120

Chord Diagrams — Poor Butterfly in A# (Guitar)

Display

FingerNoteDegree

Chord Voicings Closest Voicing

D7♯5

Poor Butterfly 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 D (ascending major third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to A (ascending whole step), A to G (descending whole step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to D# (ascending minor third), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to D (ascending tritone), D to A# (descending major third). 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 C 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.

ballad4/4 · 30 bars · Form: ABAC

Chords: Cm7, F7, A♯Maj7, D7♯5, G7, Am7♭5, Gm7, C7, D♯m7, G♯7, Dm7, A♯.

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

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