Mas Que Nada in A#

Mas Que Nada in A#

Mas Que Nada in A#: Jorge Ben Jor's minor samba. Apply Dorian and Harmonic Minor scales to navigate the modal harmony. Chords: A#m7 – D#9 – D#maj7 – G#9 – Fmaj7 – F7#9 – F9 – F7b9 – F9sus – C#maj9 – C#6 – D#7 – G#.

Mas Que Nada 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 D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to F (descending minor third), F to F (ascending unison), F to F (ascending unison), F to F (ascending unison), F to F (ascending unison), F to C# (descending major third), C# to C# (ascending unison), C# to D# (ascending whole step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth). The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from G# to A# 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.