Lover in B

Richard Rodgers / Lorenz Hart(1932)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Lover in B (Guitar)

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Lover 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 A# (descending half step), A# to A (descending half step), A to G# (descending half step), G# to G (descending half step), G to F# (descending half step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to F (ascending major third), F to D# (descending whole step), D# to E (ascending half step), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to G (ascending half step), G to G# (ascending half step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth). 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 C# to B by whole step.

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.

swing3/4 · 52 bars · Form: AB

Chords: B7, A♯7, A7, G♯7, G7, F♯7, B, C♯7, Fm7, D♯, Edim, F♯, Gdim, G♯m7, C♯m7.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B