Do Re MiC D E

Alone Too Long

Schwartz Arthur4/4ballad

Chord Diagrams — Alone Too Long in B (Guitar)

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Alone Too Long 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 C (ascending half step), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to A# (ascending whole step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to E (descending major third), E to D# (descending half step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (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 C# to B by whole step.

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 · 32 bars · Form: ABA

Chords: B6, Cdim7, C♯m7, F♯7, G♯m7, A♯m7♭5, D♯7♭9, G♯m, G♯m/D, G♯m/C♯, E7, D♯7, G♯m6, C♯7.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B