El Manisero in A#
El Manisero in A#
Moisés Simons compuso 'El Manisero' en La Habana en 1927, y Don Azpiazú lo llevó a Broadway en 1930 desatando la primera fiebre de música cubana en Estados Unidos. Es el primer disco cubano en vender un millón de copias. El pregón del manicero — 'maní, maní' — sobre el son habanero en Fa mayor fue el punto de partida de toda la explosión tropical del siglo XX.
El Manisero 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 G (ascending whole step), G to D# (descending major third), D# to C (descending minor third). 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.