All That Jazz in B

John Kander / Fred Ebb(1975)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
F♯7♯5
D♯m7♭5/A
G♯7♯5
F♯7♯5
D♯m7♭5/A
B7/A
Em/G
B/F♯

Chord Diagrams — All That Jazz in B (Guitar)

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All That Jazz 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 F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to G (ascending half step), G to D# (descending major third), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C (ascending major third), C to G (descending perfect fourth), G to G# (ascending half step), G# to E (descending major third), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to C# (descending half step), C# to G# (descending perfect fourth), G# to A# (ascending whole step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to F# (ascending minor third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to B (descending perfect fourth). 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 B to B by unison.

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.

swing4/4 · 95 bars · Form: A

Chords: B, F♯7♯5, F♯7, G7, D♯m7♭5/A, G♯7, C, G, G♯, Em7♭5, A7, D7♭9, C♯, G♯7♯5, A♯7, D♯7♭9, F♯, B7, C♯m7, F♯sus4, B7/A, Em/G, B/F♯.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B