The Gypsy in B

B. Reed()swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
C

Chord Diagrams — The Gypsy in B (Guitar)

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The Gypsy 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 G# (descending minor third), G# to G# (ascending unison), G# to D# (descending perfect fourth), D# to C# (descending whole step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth), C# to C (descending half step), C to B (descending half step), B to A# (descending half step), A# to A (descending half step), A to B (ascending whole step), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to A# (ascending major third), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to D (descending half step), D to C (descending whole step), C to C# (ascending half step), C# to B (descending whole step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from B to B by unison.

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 · 28 bars · Form: ABC

Chords: BMaj7, G♯7♭9, G♯7♯5, D♯m7♭5, C♯7, F♯7, C♯m7, F♯7♭9, C♯m7♭5, Cdim, B, A♯6, A6, B6, F♯7♯5, A♯7♭9, D♯m7, Dm7, C9, C♯9, B69.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B