Chattanooga Choo-Choo in B

Harry Warren()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
C
F♯7♯5
B7/A
E/G♯

Chord Diagrams — Chattanooga Choo-Choo in B (Guitar)

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Chattanooga Choo-Choo 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 F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to A# (ascending half step), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to C (ascending tritone), C to B (descending half step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to G (ascending minor third), G to B (ascending major third), B to G# (descending minor third). 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 G# to B by minor third.

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 · 26 bars · Form: ABC

Chords: B6, F♯7, F♯9, F♯7♯5, B7, E, E7, A, A♯dim, C♯7, F♯7♭9, C7, B7/A, E/G♯, G6, B, G♯m.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B