Do Re MiC D E

That Old Black Magic

Arlen Harold4/4medium-swing

Chord Diagrams — That Old Black Magic in B (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
Starting fret
Open123456789101112

Explore More

That Old Black Magic 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 C# (ascending whole step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to D# (descending minor third), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to A (ascending half step), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to B (descending minor third), B to A# (descending half step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to E (descending major third), E to E (ascending unison), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to F# (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 F# to B 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.

medium-swing4/4 · 66 bars · Form: ABCD

Chords: Bmaj7, C♯m7, F♯7, D♯m7, G♯7, A7, Ddim7, B6, A♯m7♭5, D♯7, G♯m7, E7♯11, Em7, F♯m7, B7, Emaj7, F♯7sus4.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B