Triste in A#

Antônio Carlos Jobim(1966)bossa-nova
Do Re MiC D E
A

Chord Diagrams — Triste in A# (Guitar)

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Triste 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 F# (descending major third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to D# (ascending major third), D# to D (descending half step), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to D (ascending whole step), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to G (descending whole step), G to A (ascending whole step), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to D (descending whole step), D to F (ascending minor third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C (ascending major third), C to D# (ascending minor 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 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.

bossa-nova4/4 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: A♯Maj7, F♯Maj7, B7♭5, D♯7♭5, Dm7, G7, Cm7, D7, Am7, Gm7, A7, Em7, DMaj7, F7, A♯m7, Fm7, A♯7, D♯Maj7, G♯7♭5, C7, D♯7.

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

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