What key is I Concentrate On You 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 A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to E (ascending tritone), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to F (descending major third), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to A (ascending tritone), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to D (ascending unison), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to C (descending half step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to C (descending perfect fourth), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to F (ascending whole step), F to B (ascending tritone), B to A# (descending half step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to D (descending half step), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to G# (ascending half step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to A# (descending minor third), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to G (descending minor third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to F (ascending unison). 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 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.

ballad2/2 · 94 bars · Form: AA'BA''

Chords: La♯, La♯Maj7, Mim7♭5, La7, Fam7, La♯7, Re♯Maj7, Lam7♭5, Re7, Rem7♭5, Sol7♯5, Dom, Do♯dim7, Do75-/ces, Fa7, Dom7, La♯6, Re♯6, Fa7♭9, Si9, La♯69, Re♯m7, Rem7, Sol7, Sol♯7, Do♯Maj7, La♯m7, La♯m/des, Solm7♭5, Do7, Fa, FaMaj7.

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