El Año Viejo in A#

El Año Viejo in A#

Crescencio Salcedo compuso 'El Año Viejo' en Colombia en 1953 y se convirtió en el himno de fin de año de Venezuela, Colombia y todo el Caribe. Se escucha cada 31 de diciembre en todo el continente, junto a 'El Año Nuevo'. Carlos Vives, Los Corraleros de Majagual y decenas de orquestas la han grabado. La sencillez de D-A7-G no necesita ornamento: es la cumbia en su versión más festiva y comunitaria, el acorde del brindis y el abrazo.

El Año Viejo 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 F (descending perfect fourth), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to G (ascending major third), G to C (ascending 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 C 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.