Tin Tin Deo in B
Tin Tin Deo in B
Gil Fuller and Chano Pozo's 1947 Afro-Cuban jazz classic — the chromatic descent Fm6–Ebm6–DbMaj7–C7 mirrors Yoruba rhythmic cycles, bridging bebop and santería. Dizzy Gillespie's big band version made it an Afro-Cuban jazz anthem.
Tin Tin Deo 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 A (descending whole step), A to G (descending whole step), G to F# (descending half step), F# to G# (ascending whole step), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to C (descending half step), C to B (descending half step), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to G# (descending half step). A half-step bass movement creates a strong leading-tone pull that demands resolution. The predominantly stepwise bass motion creates smooth, connected voice leading. When the progression loops, the bass returns from G# to B by minor third.
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.