Almendra in B

Almendra in B

Almendra in B: Abelardo Valdés's danzón. Bebop Major and Major Pentatonic scales bring out the groove and energy of these changes. Chords: B – F#7 – C#m – C#m7 – D#7 – G#m – C#7 – Cdim7 – G#7 – A#dim7 – Bm – Em.

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