Tin Tin Deo in E

Walter "Gil" Fuller & Chano Pozo(1947)afro-cubanAfro-Swing
Do Re MiC D E
E
Instrument
GuitarUkuleleBassPiano
A
B
Em6
Dm6
Cmaj7
B7♯9
Em6
C♯7♭9
F♯m7♭5
F7♭9
Em6
Dm6
Cmaj7
B7♯9
Em9
A9
D9
C♯7♯9
B7♯9
Em6
B7♯9
Em6

Chord Diagrams — Tin Tin Deo in E (Guitar)

Tin Tin Deo in E

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 E

E major is arguably guitar's most powerful key. The open low E and high E strings ring sympathetically as the root, while the open B provides the fifth. This triple reinforcement gives E-based riffs and chords unmatched depth and volume. E is a beginner-level key on guitar because both the low E and high E strings ring as the root, and the open B is the fifth — three open strings reinforce the tonic chord. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.

Voice Leading

The bass line moves through E to D (descending whole step), D to C (descending whole step), C to B (descending half step), B to C# (ascending whole step), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to F (descending half step), F to E (descending half step), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to C# (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 C# to E by minor third.

Scales for Improvisation

E 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, E Mixolydian adds the flat seventh for an authentic blues-rock edge.

afro-cuban4/4 · 12 bars · Form: AB

Chords: Em6, Dm6, Cmaj7, B7♯9, C♯7♭9, F♯m7♭5, F7♭9, Em9, A9, D9, C♯7♯9.