Amazing Grace in B

John Newton(1772)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
B/D♯
F♯7sus4
B7/D♯
B/D♯
E/B

Chord Diagrams — Amazing Grace in B (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
B
EADGBE111234
4frEADGBE111xx47frEADGBE1113429frEADGBE11x243
B/D♯
EADGBE111234
4frEADGBE111xx47frEADGBE1113429frEADGBE11x243
E
EADGBE231
2frEADGBExx12434frEADGBE1114327frEADGBE111234
F♯7sus4
EADGBE111134
4frEADGBExx13247frEADGBE11x2349frEADGBE111134
F♯7
EADGBE111132
4frEADGBE11x3247frEADGBEx3241x9frEADGBE111134
B7/D♯
EADGBEx2134
EADGBE1111344frEADGBE111xx27frEADGBE111132
G♯m
4frEADGBE111134
6frEADGBExx13427frEADGBExx324111frEADGBE111342
C♯m9
EADGBE2222x1
5frEADGBE222x147frEADGBE333x129frEADGBE111134
E/B
7frEADGBE111234
EADGBE2312frEADGBExx12434frEADGBE111432

Amazing Grace 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 E (ascending perfect fourth), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to E (ascending minor third). 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 E to B by perfect fourth.

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.

swing3/4 · 19 bars · Form: AB

Chords: B, B/D♯, E, F♯7sus4, F♯7, B7/D♯, G♯m, C♯m9, E/B.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B