Del Sasser in B

Sam Jones(1960)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
BMaj7/A♯
G♯m7/F♯
C♯/F
BMaj7/A♯
G♯m7/F♯
C♯/F

Chord Diagrams — Del Sasser in B (Guitar)

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Del Sasser 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 C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to B (ascending minor third), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to E (ascending minor third), E to D# (descending half step), D# to B (descending major third), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to C# (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 C# to C# 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 · 50 bars · Form: AB

Chords: C♯m7, F♯7, BMaj7, G♯7, BMaj7/A♯, G♯m7, G♯m7/F♯, C♯/F, EmMaj7, D♯m7, B, F♯m7, B7, EMaj7, C♯Maj7.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B