The Lady Is a Tramp in B

Richard Rodgers / Lorenz Hart(1937)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
B/F♯

Chord Diagrams — The Lady Is a Tramp in B (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree

The Lady Is a Tramp 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 D (ascending minor third), D to C# (descending half step), 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 B (descending whole step), B to D# (ascending major third), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to A# (descending minor third), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth). 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 G# to B by minor 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.

swing4/4 · 33 bars · Form: AB

Chords: B, D7, C♯m7, F♯7, B7, E, C♯m7♭5, B/F♯, D♯m7, G♯7, C♯7, A♯m7, D♯7, G♯m7.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B