Don't Get Around Much Anymore in B

Duke Ellington()swingMedium Swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
A
B
A

Chord Diagrams — Don't Get Around Much Anymore in B (Guitar)

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Don't Get Around Much Anymore in B

Don't Get Around Much Anymore in 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 C# (ascending whole step), C# to D (ascending half step), D to G# (ascending tritone), G# to A# (ascending whole step), A# to B (ascending half step), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to B (ascending whole step), B to B (ascending unison), B to F (ascending tritone), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (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 D# to B by major 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 · 34 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: B, C♯m7, Ddim7, G♯, A♯m7, Bdim7, G♯7/C, C♯7, F♯7, F♯m7, B7, E6, A9, BMaj7, B7♯5, F7♭5, A♯7, D♯m7.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B