Do Re MiC D E

Think Of One

Monk Thelonious4/4medium-swing

Chord Diagrams — Think Of One in A# (Guitar)

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Think Of One 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 G (ascending minor third), G to G# (ascending half step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to B (descending whole step), B to F (ascending tritone), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to C (descending minor third), C to C (ascending unison), C to C (ascending unison), C to F (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 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.

medium-swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: ABA

Chords: A♯, E9♭5, Gm7, G♯9, C♯13, F♯7, B13, C♯7, B7, Fm7/F, A♯7♭9, D♯maj7, C7♭9, C7♭5, Cm7, F7♭9♯11.

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

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