Alfie in G

Burt Bacharach / Hal David(1966)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
D7sus4
D7sus4
D7sus4
D7sus4
Gm7/F
D7sus4
D7sus4
D7sus4
D7sus4

Chord Diagrams — Alfie in G (Guitar)

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Alfie in G

Key of G

G major is the singer-songwriter's key. The open G, B, and D strings spell out the full G major triad with zero fretting. Add the open high E for a Gadd6 shimmer. Nearly every diatonic chord (Em, Am, C, D) has a comfortable open voicing. G is a beginner-level key on guitar because the open G, B, and D strings form a complete G major triad without fretting a single note, and the open low E adds a rich 6th color. Beginners will find this key approachable since most chords use open voicings with minimal stretching.

Voice Leading

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

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.

swing4/4 · 40 bars · Form: A

Chords: GMaj7, D7sus4, E7, Bm7, Am7, C♯dim, Daug, D7, C7, C♯m7♭5, F♯m7, Em7, Gm7/F, Gm7, A7, G7♭9.

Scales for Improvisation G bebop, G bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of G