Let's Call the Whole Thing Off in B

George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin(1937)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B7/A
E6/G♯
Em6/G
B6/F♯
B7/A
E6/G♯
Em6/G
B6/F♯
F♯9sus4
G♯7/A
E6/G♯
Em6/G
D♯7♯5
F♯13

Chord Diagrams — Let's Call the Whole Thing Off in B (Guitar)

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Let's Call the Whole Thing Off 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 G# (descending minor third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to F (descending half step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to D# (descending perfect fourth), D# to F# (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 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.

swing2/2 · 34 bars · Form: A

Chords: B6, G♯m9, C♯m7, F♯7♭9, B7/A, E6/G♯, Em6/G, B6/F♯, G♯m7, C♯7, F♯7, F♯9sus4, Fm7♭5, A♯7♭9, D♯m7, G♯7♭9, F♯9, B9, G♯7/A, D♯7♯5, F♯13.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B