Somos Novios in A#

Somos Novios in A#

Armando Manzanero compuso 'Somos Novios' en 1968 y se convirtió en el bolero más famoso de México junto a 'Contigo Aprendí'. Elvis Presley la grabó en inglés como 'It's Impossible' en 1970, llevando a Manzanero al reconocimiento mundial. El movimiento Fmaj7-Fm7 en el puente — IV mayor a IV menor — es esa pequeña sombra cromática que hace el bolero irresistible.

Somos Novios 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 A# (ascending unison), A# to C (ascending whole step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to G (ascending whole step), G to D# (descending major third), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to D (descending half step), D to G (ascending perfect fourth). 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 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.