Recado Bossa Nova (The Gift) in B

Djalma Ferreira / Luiz Antonio(1959)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
Em7/D

Chord Diagrams — Recado Bossa Nova (The Gift) in B (Guitar)

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Recado Bossa Nova (The Gift) 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 F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to G# (descending minor third), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to C (descending half step), C to F# (ascending tritone), F# to F# (ascending unison). 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 · 46 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Bm, F♯7♭9, B7♭9, Em7, Em7/D, C♯m7♭5, F♯7, Bm7, G♯m7♭5, C♯7♭9, C7♯11, F♯m7♭5, F♯m7.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop minor, B bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B