One Note Samba in B

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Chord Diagrams — One Note Samba in B (Guitar)

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One Note Samba 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 D (descending half step), D to C# (descending half step), C# to C (descending half step), C to F# (ascending tritone), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to B (ascending whole step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to D (descending whole step), D to D (ascending unison), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to D (descending major third), D to C# (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 C# to D# 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.

swing4/4 · 41 bars · Form: A

Chords: D♯m7, D7, C♯m7, C7♭5, F♯m7, B7, EMaj7, A7, B6, Em7, DMaj7, Dm7, G7, CMaj7, C♯m7♭5, F♯7♭5, D6, C♯7.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B