In the mood in B

Wingy Manone / Andy Razaf / Joe Garland(1939)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
C
F♯11
F♯11
F♯11
F♯11

Chord Diagrams — In the mood in B (Guitar)

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In the mood 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 C# (ascending whole step), C# to C# (ascending unison), 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 F# (descending half step), F# to D (descending major third), D to F# (ascending major third), F# to G (ascending half step), G to F# (descending half step). 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.

swing4/4 · 32 bars · Form: ABC

Chords: B, C♯7, C♯m7, F♯7, B6, E6, G7, F♯11, Ddim, F♯dim, G9, F♯9.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B