What key is All Or Nothing At All in?

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

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.

ballad4/4 · 64 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: Solm, Solm7, Solm6, Sol♯9, Sol♯6, Sol♯aug, Sol♯7, Fam, Rem7♭5, Sol7♭9, Dom, Lam7♭5, Re7, Dom7♭5, Fa711, La♯, La♯6, Fa♯, Fa♯aug, Fa♯6, Do♯7, Si, Do♯9, Do♯aug, Sol♯m7, Fam7♭5, La♯7, Re♯m, Si7.

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