What key is Flamingo in?

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

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.

ballad4/4 · 32 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: SiMaj7, Sol♯m7, Do♯m7, Fa♯7♯5, Sim7, Mi7, Sol9, Do♯m7/c, MiMaj7, Mim, Mim77+, Mim7, La9, Re6, Fa♯m7♭5, Si7, La7, Mim7/aes, Fa♯7.

Scales for Improvisation Si bebop, Si bebop major.