Do Re MiC D E

Daybreak

Adamson-Grofe4/4medium-swing

Chord Diagrams — Daybreak in B (Guitar)

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Daybreak 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 G# (ascending whole step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to E (ascending minor third), E to G (ascending minor third), G to B (ascending major third), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to C (ascending tritone), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to G# (ascending minor third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to A (descending whole step), A to D# (ascending tritone), D# to B (descending major 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 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.

medium-swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: ABAC

Chords: Bmaj7, F♯7, G♯7, C♯m7, Emaj7, G7, Bm7, E7, F♯maj7/F, Cm7, F7, G♯m7, C♯7, F♯m7, B7, A7, D♯m7, B6.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B