What key is I'll Be Seeing You 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 D# (ascending major third), D# to C# (descending whole step), C# to G# (descending perfect fourth), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to C# (descending perfect fourth), C# to D (ascending half step), D to G# (ascending tritone), G# to F# (descending whole step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to F# (descending perfect fourth), F# to A# (ascending major third), A# to C# (ascending minor third), C# to E (ascending minor third), E to C (descending major third). 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 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.

swing2/2 · 33 bars · Form: ABA'C

Chords: Si, Re♯7, Do♯m, Sol♯7, Fa♯7, Do♯m7, Redim7, Sol♯m7, Fa♯7♯5, Si6, Fa♯9♯5, La♯m7♭5, Do♯9, Mim6, Dom7.

Scales for Improvisation Si bebop, Si bebop major.