The Very Thought of You in A#

Ray Noble(1934)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
Faug7
Faug7
A♯/D
Gm7/F
A♯69

Chord Diagrams — The Very Thought of You in A# (Guitar)

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The Very Thought of You 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 F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to A# (descending minor third), A# to G (descending minor third), 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 G (ascending unison), G to E (descending minor third), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D# (ascending half step), D# to G (ascending major third), G to F (descending whole step), F to A# (ascending 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 F 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 · 22 bars · Form: AB

Chords: F7, A♯Maj7, Faug7, A♯, Cm7, C♯dim7, A♯/D, Gm9, C9, Am7♭5, D7, Gm7, Gm7/F, Em7♭5, A7♭9, Dm7, D♯Maj7, G7, F7♭9, A♯69.

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

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