All That Jazz in G#

John Kander / Fred Ebb(1975)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
D♯7♯5
Cm7♭5/F♯
F7♯5
D♯7♯5
Cm7♭5/F♯
G♯7/F♯
C♯m/E
G♯/D♯

Chord Diagrams — All That Jazz in G# (Guitar)

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FingerNoteDegree

All That Jazz 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 D# (descending perfect fourth), D# to D# (ascending unison), D# to E (ascending half step), E to C (descending major third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to A (ascending major third), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to F (ascending half step), F to C# (descending major third), C# to F# (ascending perfect fourth), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to A# (descending half step), A# to F (descending perfect fourth), F to G (ascending whole step), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to D# (ascending minor third), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to A# (ascending whole step), A# to D# (ascending perfect fourth), D# to G# (ascending perfect fourth), G# to C# (ascending perfect fourth), C# to G# (descending perfect fourth). 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 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 · 95 bars · Form: A

Chords: G♯, D♯7♯5, D♯7, E7, Cm7♭5/F♯, F7, A, E, F, C♯m7♭5, F♯7, B7♭9, A♯, F7♯5, G7, C7♭9, D♯, G♯7, A♯m7, D♯sus4, G♯7/F♯, C♯m/E, G♯/D♯.

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

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