How Long Has This Been Going On? in B

George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin(1928)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — How Long Has This Been Going On? in B (Guitar)

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How Long Has This Been Going On? 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 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 D (ascending minor third), D to C# (descending half step), C# to E (ascending minor third), E to D# (descending half step), D# to B (descending major third), B to A# (descending half step), A# to A# (ascending unison), A# to A# (ascending unison). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from A# to F# 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.

swing4/4 · 26 bars · Form: AB

Chords: F♯7, F♯dim7, B7, E7, A7, BMaj7, Ddim7, C♯m7, EMaj7, D♯m7, B6, A♯7, A♯7♭9, A♯m7♭9.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B