Take The A Train in B
Take The A Train in B
Take The A Train in B — Duke Ellington's anthem, defined by its signature #IV chord (II7#11). Use Lydian Dominant over that chord for the characteristic uptown sound, Bebop Major everywhere else. Changes: B6 – C#7b5 – C#m7 – F#7 – B – EMaj7 – C#7 – C#m9 – F#9 – C9.
Take The A Train 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 C# (ascending whole step), C# to C# (ascending unison), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to C# (ascending unison), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to C (ascending tritone). 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.