Explore More
One By One 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 D to C# (descending half step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to A (descending whole step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to E (ascending whole step), E to G (ascending minor third), G to A (ascending whole step), A to C# (ascending major third), C# to C (descending half step), C to D (ascending whole step), D to G# (ascending tritone), G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to D# (descending minor third), D# to C# (descending whole step). 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 D by half 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.