Bye, Bye Blues in B

Grey, Bennettlown, Hamm()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
B/D♯

Chord Diagrams — Bye, Bye Blues in B (Guitar)

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Bye, Bye Blues 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 major third), G to G# (ascending half step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to D (ascending minor third), D to C# (descending half step), C# to B (descending whole step). 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.

swing2/2 · 20 bars · Form: AB

Chords: B, G7, G♯7, C♯9, F♯7, B/D♯, Ddim, C♯m7, B6.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B