Do Re MiC D E

Yes And No

Shorter Wayne4/4up-tempo-swing

Chord Diagrams — Yes And No in B (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
Starting fret
Open123456789101112

Explore More

Yes And No 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 B (ascending unison), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to D (descending whole step), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C# (ascending tritone), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth). 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 C 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.

up-tempo-swing4/4 · 58 bars · Form: AB

Chords: B7sus4, Bmaj7, F♯m7, B7, Emaj7, D7, Gmaj7, C♯m7, F♯m7♭5, B7♭9, Em7, A7, Dm7, G7, Cmaj7.

Scales for Improvisation B bebop, B bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of B