Ojalá in A#

Ojalá in A#

Silvio Rodríguez compuso 'Ojalá' en 1969, una de las más complejas y hermosas canciones de la Nueva Trova Cubana. La letra es un contrafactual poético del desamor: 'ojalá que la lluvia deje de ser milagro que baja por tu cuerpo'. Sobre Re menor con una guitarra austera, Silvio construyó uno de los monumentos de la canción latinoamericana del siglo XX.

Ojalá 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 G# (descending whole step), G# to F (descending minor third), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to F (ascending whole step), F to C# (descending major third). The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from C# 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.