Witchcraft in A#

Cy Coleman / Carolyn Leigh(1957)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
A♯7sus4
G♯13
G♯13
D♯/G
D♯/G
C♯/F

Chord Diagrams — Witchcraft in A# (Guitar)

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FingerNoteDegree

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

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 · 40 bars · Form: A

Chords: D♯6, F♯dim7, Fm7, A♯7sus4, D♯Maj7, D♯7, G♯Maj7, C♯7, F♯6, F7♭9, A♯7, G♯13, Am7♭5, D7♭9, Gm7, D♯/G, Gm6, Gm, C♯/F.

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

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