Cry Me A River in A#

Cry Me A River in A#

A dramatic minor-key torch song made famous by Julie London, with a descending chromatic line that perfectly captures the lyric's bitterness.

Cry Me A River 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 B to B (ascending unison), B to B (ascending unison), B to B (ascending unison), B to G (descending major third), G to F# (descending half step), F# to E (descending whole step), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to A (ascending minor third), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G# (ascending tritone), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth). 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 B 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.