Tin Tin Deo in B

Walter "Gil" Fuller & Chano Pozo(1947)afro-cubanAfro-Swing
Do Re MiC D E
B
Instrument
GuitarUkuleleBassPiano
A
B
Bm6
Am6
Gmaj7
F♯7♯9
Bm6
G♯7♭9
C♯m7♭5
C7♭9
Bm6
Am6
Gmaj7
F♯7♯9
Bm9
E9
A9
G♯7♯9
F♯7♯9
Bm6
F♯7♯9
Bm6

Chord Diagrams — Tin Tin Deo in B (Guitar)

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.

afro-cuban4/4 · 12 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Bm6, Am6, Gmaj7, F♯7♯9, G♯7♭9, C♯m7♭5, C7♭9, Bm9, E9, A9, G♯7♯9.