Good Bait in A#

Tadd Dameron / Count Basie(1944)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
A♯7/D
G♯9♯11
F7♭9♯9♭5♯5

Chord Diagrams — Good Bait in A# (Guitar)

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Good Bait in A#

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

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.

swing4/4 · 26 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Gm7, A♯6, F7, Cm7, Dm7, A♯7/D, A♯7, G♯9♯11, D♯Maj7, C♯m7, F7♭9♯9♭5♯5, A♯Maj7, D♯6, Fm7, D♯7/G, D♯7, C♯9♯11, G♯Maj7, F♯m7, F13, F♯13, G♯7, G7.

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

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of A#