If You Could See Me Now in B

Tadd Dameron()balladBallad
Do Re MiC D E
A
A
B
A

Chord Diagrams — If You Could See Me Now in B (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree

If You Could See Me Now in B

If You Could See Me Now 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 E (ascending perfect fourth), E to D# (descending half step), D# to D (descending half step), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C# (ascending tritone), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to D# (descending minor third), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to F (descending minor third), F to E (descending half step), E to G# (ascending major third), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to F (descending half step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to G (descending minor third), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth). 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 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 · 38 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: BMaj7, E7, D♯m7, Dm7, G7, C♯m7, F♯7, D♯7♯5, G♯7, Fm7♭5, Em7, G♯m7, F♯m7, Fm7, A♯7, Gm7, C7, C♯7, F♯Maj7.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B