Who composed Summertime?

Summertime was composed by George Gershwin in 1935. It is a swing standard in 4/4 time. The original key is D; this page shows it transposed to B.

What key is Summertime in?

The original key of Summertime is D. The form is AB with 23 bars. This page shows the chart transposed to B.

What scales work for improvising over Summertime?

Recommended scales for Summertime in B: dorian, aeolian, minor pentatonic, minor blues, harmonic minor, 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.

What makes Summertime important in jazz?

From Gershwin's opera Porgy and Bess, Summertime has been recorded more than any other jazz standard. Its haunting minor key melody over simple but evocative harmony has made it a universal favorite across all genres of music.

Summertime in B

George Gershwin(1935)swingSlowly

Do Re MiC D E

BPM: 120

Chord Diagrams — Summertime in B (Guitar)

Display

FingerNoteDegree

Chord Voicings Closest Voicing

F♯m6

C♯7/b

F♯m6/c

Bm7/g

Summertime in B

Summertime in B — Gershwin's minor blues hymn from Porgy and Bess. Dorian works over the static minor vamp; Harmonic Minor sharpens the V7 resolution; Aeolian adds natural melancholy. Changes: F#m6 – C#7/b – F#m6/c – Bm – D – DMaj7 – Cdim – C# – G#7 – C#m6 – C#7b5 – F#m – B7 – A – B – Bm7/g – F#mMaj7 – B9 – C#aug.

Summertime 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 F# to C# (descending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to D (ascending minor third), D to D (ascending unison), D to C (descending whole step), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to G# (descending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to C# (ascending unison), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to A (descending whole step), A to B (ascending whole step), B to B (ascending unison), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to C# (ascending whole 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 F# 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: F♯m6, C♯7/b, F♯m6/c, Bm, D, DMaj7, Cdim, C♯, G♯7, C♯m6, C♯7♭5, F♯m, B7, A, B, Bm7/g, F♯mMaj7, B9, C♯aug.

Scales for Improvisation B dorian, B aeolian, B minor pentatonic, B minor blues, B harmonic minor, B bebop minor, B bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B

Summertime in B

Chord Diagrams — Summertime in B (Guitar)

Summertime in B

Summertime in B

Voice Leading

Scales for Improvisation

Related Standards