Soul Eyes in B

Mal Waldron(1957)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B

Chord Diagrams — Soul Eyes in B (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree

Soul Eyes 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 G# to D# (descending perfect fourth), D# to C# (descending whole step), C# to C# (ascending unison), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to D# (descending minor third), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to E (descending major third), E to F (ascending half step), F to A# (ascending perfect fourth), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to A (ascending tritone), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to F# (ascending major third), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to A# (descending half step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth). 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 D# to G# 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 · 23 bars · Form: AB

Chords: G♯m, D♯7♯9, C♯7♭5, C♯m, F♯7♯9, D♯m7♭5, G♯7♭9, EMaj7, Fm7♭5, A♯7♭9, D♯Maj7, A7♭5, DMaj7, F♯7, BMaj7, A♯m7♭5, D♯7♭9.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B