The Midnight Sun Never Sets in A#

Quincey Jones / Henri Salvador(1959)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — The Midnight Sun Never Sets in A# (Guitar)

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The Midnight Sun Never Sets 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 C (ascending whole step), C to D (ascending whole step), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to D# (ascending minor third), D# to F (ascending whole step), F to F (ascending unison), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A (descending half step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to D# (ascending whole step), D# to B (descending major third), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to F (descending half step). 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 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 · 27 bars · Form: AB

Chords: A♯Maj7, C, Dm7, G7, Cm7, D♯Maj7, F7, Fm7, A♯7, Am7♭5, D7, Gm7, C7, A♯m7, D♯7, G♯Maj7, C♯7, D♯m, B, G♯7, F♯7, Faug.

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

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