Summer Samba in A#

Marcos Valle / Norman Gimbel / Paulo Sérgio Valle(1964)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Summer Samba in A# (Guitar)

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Summer Samba 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 E (ascending tritone), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D# (ascending tritone), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to D (ascending tritone), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to A (descending minor third), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F# (ascending tritone), F# to F (descending half step), F to F (ascending unison), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to A# (descending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. 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 A# by unison.

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 · 21 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A♯Maj7, Em7♭5, A7♯9, D♯Maj7, G♯7, Dm7, G7♭9, Cm7, Am7♭5, D7♯9, Gm7, C7, F♯7, F7, F7♭9, D♯7, A♯.

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

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