Mas Que Nada in A#

Mas Que Nada in A#

Jorge Ben Jor compuso 'Mas Que Nada' en 1963 a los 20 años. Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 la popularizaron mundialmente en 1966 y se convirtió en el himno del samba-pop brasileño. El ostinato Em7-Am7-B7 sobre ritmo de samba es pura alegría carioca: cuando arranca esa guitarra, el cuerpo no puede quedarse quieto. La versión de Black Eyed Peas con Sergio Mendes en 2006 demostró que es eterna.

Mas Que Nada 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 F# (ascending half step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from F# to A# by major 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.