Caravan in B

J. Tizol, D. Ellington()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
C♯m7♭5/F♯

Chord Diagrams — Caravan in B (Guitar)

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Caravan 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 F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to B (ascending unison), B to B (ascending unison), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to C# (descending half step), C# to F# (ascending 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 F# to F# 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 · 48 bars · Form: AB

Chords: F♯7♭9, Bm7, Bm6, B9, E9, A9, D, C♯m7♭5/F♯, F♯7.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop minor, B bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B