What key is This Can't Be Love in?

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 E (ascending perfect fourth), E to B (descending perfect fourth), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to A# (ascending major third), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to A (ascending half step), A to G# (descending half step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to F# (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 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.

swing2/2 · 29 bars · Form: AABA

Chords: Si, Mi7, Si6, Do♯m7, Fa♯7, La♯m7, Re♯7, Sol♯m7, La13, Sol♯7♯5, Do♯9, Fa♯7♭9.

Scales for Improvisation Si bebop, Si bebop major.