Do Re MiC D E

A Child Is Born

Jones Thad4/4waltz
C♯m/B♭
C♯m/B♭
C♯m/B♭
C7♯5
C7♯5
D♯7sus4

Chord Diagrams — A Child Is Born in G# (Guitar)

Display
FingerNoteDegree
Starting fret
Open123456789101112

Explore More

A Child Is Born in G#

Key of G#

G# major (or Ab) lives at fret 4 on the low E string. All chords require barre technique, making it less common in guitar-centric songwriting but standard in piano-driven pop. Guitarists often use a capo to access friendlier shapes. G# is a intermediate-advanced-level key on guitar because the open G string is a half step below the root, creating dissonance — avoid letting it ring. Expect to rely on barre chords throughout, which builds hand strength and unlocks the entire fretboard.

Voice Leading

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

Scales for Improvisation

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

waltz4/4 · 30 bars · Form: AB

Chords: G♯maj7, C♯m/B♭, Gm7♭5, C7♯9, Fm7, C7♯5, A♯7, D♯7sus4, D♯7, C7alt, C♯maj7, F♯7, G♯/F, E6.

Scales for Improvisation G# bebop, G# bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of G#