They Can't Take That Away From Me in A#

George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin(1937)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
F7sus4
F7sus4
A♯13
F7sus4
F7sus4
F7sus4

Chord Diagrams — They Can't Take That Away From Me in A# (Guitar)

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They Can't Take That Away From Me 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 C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G (ascending major third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to D (descending minor third), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to A# (ascending half step), A# to G (descending minor third), G to D# (descending major third). 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 D# to C by minor third.

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 · 31 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Cm7, F7sus4, A♯6, A♯dim, A♯, Fm7, A♯13, D♯, G7, C7, F7, Dm, A7♭9, E7, Em7, A7, A♯7, Gm, D♯m6.

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

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