Freddie Freeloader in B

Miles Davis(1959)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Freddie Freeloader in B (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree

Freddie Freeloader 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 E (ascending perfect fourth), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to F (descending half step), F to A (ascending 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 A to B by whole step.

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.

swing4/4 · 16 bars · Form: AB

Chords: B7, E7, F♯7, F7, A7.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B