Black Magic Woman in A#

Black Magic Woman in A#

Peter Green de Fleetwood Mac escribió 'Black Magic Woman' en 1968, pero fue Santana quien la inmortalizó en 1970 fusionándola con 'Gypsy Queen' de Gabor Szabo. La versión de Santana llegó al Top 5 en EE.UU. y se convirtió en el estándar definitivo del latin rock. El solo de guitarra de Carlos Santana sobre el modal Dm es uno de los más reconocibles del rock clásico.

Black Magic Woman 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 D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to F (ascending whole step), F to C# (descending major third), C# to G# (descending 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 G# to A# 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.