El Reloj in A#

El Reloj in A#

Roberto Cantoral compuso 'El Reloj' en 1956, una de las canciones de amor más grabadas en la historia de la música latina. 'Detente, reloj, no marques más las horas' expresa la desesperación de quien no quiere que termine la noche con el ser amado. Luis Miguel la grabó en su álbum 'Romance' (1991), llevándola a una nueva generación y vendiendo millones de copias.

El Reloj 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 C (descending perfect fourth), C to A# (descending whole step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to G (ascending major 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 G to A# by minor third.

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.