What Is This Thing Called Love in La#

What Is This Thing Called Love in La#

Cole Porter's composition builds dramatic tension through a minor bridge that introduces Locrian and Harmonic Minor color, contrasting sharply with the Bebop Major vocabulary of the major sections. The abrupt shift to the parallel minor key on the bridge is one of the most striking harmonic moves in the standard repertoire. This contrast between major-key swing and minor-key gravity is the tune's defining dramatic arc.

What Is This Thing Called Love in La#

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 D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to C (descending minor third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth). 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 F by unison.

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.