Stella By Starlight in A#
Stella By Starlight in A#
The A# version of Stella By Starlight — Victor Young's harmonically restless standard that visits multiple tonal centers without ever settling. Dorian, Mixolydian, Lydian, and Bebop Major all have a role here. Changes: Em7b5 – A7b9 – Cm7 – F7 – Fm7 – A#7 – D#Maj7 – G#7 – A#Maj7 – Dm7 – A#m7 – D#7 – FMaj7 – A7 – Am7b5 – D7b9 – G7#5 – Dm7b5 – G7b9 – Cm7b5 – F7b9.
Stella By Starlight 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 E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to C (ascending minor third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to F (ascending unison), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to A# (ascending whole step), A# to D (ascending major third), D to A# (descending major third), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to F (ascending whole step), F to A (ascending major third), A to A (ascending unison), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth). 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 F to E by half 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.