When Sunny Gets Blue in A#

Marvin Fisher / Jack Segal(1956)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — When Sunny Gets Blue in A# (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree

When Sunny Gets Blue 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 D# (descending whole step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to A# (ascending whole step), A# to D (ascending major third), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to E (descending minor third), E to A# (ascending tritone), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to D# (descending minor third), D# to G (ascending major third), G to A (ascending whole step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to B (ascending major third), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to G (ascending minor third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), 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 C 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 · 27 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Cm7, F7, D♯m7, G♯7, A♯Maj7, Dm7, G7, Em7♭5, A♯Maj7/D, C♯m7, F♯7, D♯7, G7♭9, Am7, D7♭9, GMaj7, Bm7, E7♯9, Gm7, C7, FMaj7.

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

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