How Insensitive in B

A. C. Jobim()bossa-nova
Do Re MiC D E
A
F♯7/A♯
E7/G♯
G♯m11
Em6/G

Chord Diagrams — How Insensitive in B (Guitar)

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How Insensitive 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 F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to A (ascending minor third), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to G (ascending minor third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to A# (ascending major third), A# to A (descending half step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G# (ascending tritone), G# to G (descending half step), G to F# (descending half step), F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to E (ascending 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 E 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.

bossa-nova4/4 · 32 bars · Form: A

Chords: Bm7, F♯7/A♯, Am6, E7/G♯, G6, CMaj7, C♯m7♭5, F♯7♭9, A♯7, Am7, D9, G♯m7♭5, GMaj7, F♯7, G♯m11, C♯7♭9, Em6/G.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop minor, B bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B