What key is All Or Nothing At All in?

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 G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to A (ascending half step), A to A (ascending unison), A to A (ascending unison), A to A (ascending unison), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to D# (descending minor third), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to A# (descending minor third), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to C# (descending whole step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to B (ascending unison), B to G (descending major third), G to G (ascending unison), G to G (ascending unison), G to D (descending perfect fourth), D to C (descending whole step), C to D (ascending whole step), D to D (ascending unison), D to A (descending perfect fourth), A to F# (descending minor third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to C (descending major third). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The root motion by larger intervals (fourths and fifths) gives each chord change a strong, decisive character. When the progression loops, the bass returns from C to G# 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.

ballad4/4 · 64 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: Sol♯m, Sol♯m7, Sol♯m6, La9, La6, Laaug, La7, Fa♯m, Re♯m7♭5, Sol♯7♭9, Do♯m, La♯m7♭5, Re♯7, Do♯m7♭5, Fa♯711, Si, Si6, Sol, Solaug, Sol6, Re7, Do, Re9, Reaug, Lam7, Fa♯m7♭5, Si7, Mim, Do7.

Scales for Improvisation Si bebop, Si bebop major.