Sentimental Journey in A#

Les Brown / Ben Homer(1944)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Sentimental Journey in A# (Guitar)

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Sentimental Journey 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 D (ascending major third), D to F# (ascending major third), F# to F (descending half step), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to G (ascending major third), G to D# (descending major third), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to B (ascending half step), B to C (ascending half step), C to C (ascending unison), C to F (ascending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from F to A# by perfect fourth.

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 · 24 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A♯, Dm7, F♯7, F7, D♯7, D♯m6, D♯, Gdim, D♯dim, A♯dim, B7, C7, Cm7, Fdim.

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

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