Do Re MiC D E

Alfie's Theme

Rollins Sonny4/4medium-swing

Chord Diagrams — Alfie's Theme in B (Guitar)

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Alfie's Theme in B

Key of B

B major mixes barre and open elements. The B chord itself is a barre at fret 2, but E and A are comfortable open chords forming the IV and V. The open B string rings as the root, allowing creative drone-based arrangements. B is a intermediate-level key on guitar because the open B string rings as the root and the open E strings provide the 4th — useful for sus4 voicings and drone effects. This key mixes open and barre shapes, making it a good intermediate challenge that builds fretboard fluency.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through B to B (ascending unison), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to G (descending half step), G to B (ascending major third), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to F (descending half step), F to F# (ascending half step), F# to A (ascending minor third), A to G (descending whole 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 G to B by major third.

Scales for Improvisation

B 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, B Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

medium-swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: ABA

Chords: Bm7, Bm7/A♭, G♯m7♭5, Gmaj7, Bm7/F, C♯m7♭5, F♯7♭9, Fdim7, F♯7, A7, G7.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop minor, B bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B