Blue Moon in B

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Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Blue Moon in B (Guitar)

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

swing4/4 · 27 bars · Form: AB

Chords: BMaj7, G♯m7, C♯m7, F♯7, A7♭5, G♯7♭9, G7♯5, B6, B, E7, D♯m7♭5, F7♯5, Em7, A7, DMaj7, F♯7/C♯, C♯7.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B