Donna Lee in B
Donna Lee in B
B Donna Lee: Charlie Parker's blazing bebop head built on rhythm changes with rapid-fire ii-V sequences through multiple keys. Bebop Major and Mixolydian are essential — clarity at speed is the challenge. Changes: B – G#7 – C#7 – C#m7 – F#7 – F#m7 – F7 – E – Em7 – D#7 – G#m – D#7#9 – Bdim.
Donna Lee 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 G# (descending minor third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to C# (ascending unison), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to F (descending half step), F to E (descending half step), E to E (ascending unison), E to D# (descending half step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to D# (descending perfect fourth), D# to B (descending major third). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The mix of stepwise and leap motion balances smoothness with harmonic drive. 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.