Who composed Strang Fruit?

Strang Fruit was composed by Lewis Allan. It is a swing standard in 4/4 time. The original key is C; this page shows it transposed to B.

What key is Strang Fruit in?

The original key of Strang Fruit is C. The form is A with 31 bars. This page shows the chart transposed to B.

What scales work for improvising over Strang Fruit?

Recommended scales for Strang Fruit in B: bebop minor, bebop. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays, with context-aware analysis (e.g., Phrygian Dominant over secondary dominants).

How does the interactive backing track work?

The backing track plays with realistic walking bass, drum patterns, and voice-led chord voicings. Scales and arpeggios update in real-time as each chord plays. You can limit the fretboard zone for close-proximity voicings, toggle a reference melody, loop any section, and choose between multiple sound presets. Works for guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and 7 more instruments.

Can I edit the chord chart?

Yes. You can modify the structure, chords, and arrangement of any standard to match your preferred version or create your own reharmonization.

Strang Fruit in B

Lewis Allan()swingAndante Moderato

Do Re MiC D E

BPM: 120

Chord Diagrams — Strang Fruit in B (Guitar)

Display

FingerNoteDegree

Chord Voicings Closest Voicing

F♯7♯5

F♯7/d

Bm/D

F♯7♭9/f

F♯7♭9/d

F♯7♭9/b

Bm/A

GMaj7

Bm/g

C69

Strang Fruit in 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 F# (ascending unison), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to G (descending major third), G to B (ascending major third), B to C (ascending 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 B 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.

swing4/4 · 31 bars · Form: A

Chords: Bm, F♯7♯5, F♯7, C♯m7♭5, F♯7♭9, C♯m7, F♯7/d, Bm/D, F♯7♭9/f, F♯7♭9/d, F♯7♭9/b, Bm/A, GMaj7, Bm/g, C69.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop minor, B bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B