Aquarela do Brasil in A#
Aquarela do Brasil in A#
Aquarela do Brasil in A# — Ary Barroso's samba classic. Explore Bebop Major and Major Pentatonic scales over these sophisticated changes. Chords: A#6 – A#m6 – G7(b9) – G7(#9) – Cm9 – F9 – A#Maj7 – Cm7 – E7b9 – E(b5) – A#7 – A7 – G#7 – G7 – DMI7(b5) – Cmi – Cmi(#5) – Cmi6 – Cmi7 – G#9 – A7(#9)/G# – DMI7 – GMaj7 – C9 – A#Maj9 – F7(#9).
Aquarela do Brasil in 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 A# (ascending unison), A# to G (descending minor third), G to G (ascending unison), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to E (ascending major third), E to E (ascending unison), E to A# (ascending tritone), A# to A (descending half step), A to G# (descending half step), G# to G (descending half step), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to C (descending whole step), C to C (ascending unison), C to C (ascending unison), C to C (ascending unison), C to G# (descending major third), G# to A (ascending half step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to F (descending perfect fourth). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. 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.