Tu Voz in A#

Tu Voz in A#

Armando Manzanero, el 'compositor de los compositores' yucateco, escribió 'Tu Voz' en 1970. Es uno de sus boleros más sofisticados armónicamente, con el bemol paralelo Dbm como acorde de paso que crea una sombra expresiva. Paul McCartney visitó a Manzanero en México City y le expresó su admiración. Manzanero es el compositor de boleros con más canciones en el repertorio activo, con más de 50 estándares vigentes.

Tu Voz 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 G (ascending major third). 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.