Obsesión in A#

Obsesión in A#

Obsesión in A#: Pedro Flores's bolero in minor. Dorian and Harmonic Minor scales capture the emotion of these heartfelt changes. Chords: A#m7 – Cm7b5 – F7(#9) – D#m7 – G#7 – C#Maj7 – F#Maj7 – C7(#9) – Ddim – C7(#9b5) – F7.

Obsesión 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 C (ascending whole step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to C (ascending tritone), C to D (ascending whole step), D to C (descending 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 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.