That's All in B

Alan Brandt, Bob Haymes()balladSlowly, with expression
Do Re MiC D E
A
A
B
A

Chord Diagrams — That's All in B (Guitar)

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That's All in B

That's All 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 D# (ascending whole step), D# to E (ascending half step), E to F# (ascending whole step), F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to F (descending minor third), F to D (descending minor third), D to G# (ascending tritone), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to F# (ascending unison), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to E (ascending minor third), E to E (ascending unison), E to G# (ascending major third), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to D# (descending minor third). 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 D# to B by major third.

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.

ballad2/2 · 41 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: B, C♯m7, D♯m7, Em7, F♯7, G♯9, Fm7♭5, Ddim7, G♯7♭9, C♯7♭5, F♯7♭9, F♯m7, B9, Emaj9, C♯9, EMaj7, E6, G♯m7, F♯maj9, D♯9.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B