Who composed Stormy Weather?

Stormy Weather was composed by Harold Arlen in 1933. It is a ballad standard in 2/2 time. The original key is G; this page shows it transposed to A#.

What key is Stormy Weather in?

The original key of Stormy Weather is G. The form is AABA with 49 bars. This page shows the chart transposed to A#.

What scales work for improvising over Stormy Weather?

Recommended scales for Stormy Weather 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.

Stormy Weather in A#

Harold Arlen(1933)balladSlowly

Do Re MiC D E

BPM: 120

Chord Diagrams — Stormy Weather in A# (Guitar)

Display

FingerNoteDegree

Chord Voicings Closest Voicing

F7♯5♭9

Stormy Weather in A#

Harold Arlen's torch-song standard blends blues and jazz harmony, drawing Dorian and Blues language into a deeply expressive A# setting. Bebop Major lines add forward motion and brightness against the inherently dark emotional weight. Work through the A# – Bdim7 – Cm7 – F9 – G7 – F7#5b9 – D# – Dm7 – F7b9 – Fm7 – A#7 – C – D#Maj7 – A#Maj7 – Edim7 – D7 – Gm7 – C7 – F7 changes to develop seamless transition between blues intensity and swinging forward drive.

Stormy Weather 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 A# to B (ascending half step), B to C (ascending half step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to G (ascending whole step), G to F (descending whole step), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to D (descending half step), D to F (ascending minor third), F to F (ascending unison), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to D# (ascending minor third), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth), A# to E (ascending tritone), E to D (descending whole step), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. 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.

ballad2/2 · 49 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: A♯, Bdim7, Cm7, F9, G7, F7♯5♭9, D♯, Dm7, F7♭9, Fm7, A♯7, C, D♯Maj7, A♯Maj7, Edim7, D7, Gm7, C7, F7.

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

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