Voyage in B

Kenny Barron(1986)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
B
Bm69
Cm69
Bm69

Chord Diagrams — Voyage in B (Guitar)

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

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 · 25 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Bm69, Cm69, B7♭9, Em7, C♯m7♭5, F♯7, GMaj7, A♯m7, D♯7, G♯Maj7, Bm7, E7, AMaj7, Cm7, F7, A♯Maj7.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop minor, B bebop.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B