Stardust in B

Hoagy Carmichael(1927)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B7♯5
B7♯5

Chord Diagrams — Stardust in B (Guitar)

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Stardust 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 E (ascending perfect fourth), E to E (ascending unison), E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to D# (ascending whole step), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to E (ascending minor third), E to A# (ascending tritone), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to C# (descending whole step), C# to B (descending whole step). The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from B to B by unison.

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 · 33 bars · Form: A

Chords: B7♯5, E6, Em6, B, C♯m7, D♯m7, G♯7, F♯7, F♯dim7, G♯m7, C♯9, E, A♯7, D♯7, C♯7, B6.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B