All the Way in G

Jimmy Van Heusen / Sammy Cahn(1957)swing
Do Re MiC D E
A
C/E
D7/F♯
Em7/D
C/E
D7/F♯

Chord Diagrams — All the Way in G (Guitar)

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All the Way 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 F# (descending half step), F# to B (ascending perfect fourth), B to E (ascending perfect fourth), E to A (ascending perfect fourth), A to D (ascending perfect fourth), D to C (descending whole step), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to D (descending minor third), D to D (ascending unison), D to G (ascending perfect fourth), G to C (ascending perfect fourth), C to A (descending minor third), A to A (ascending unison), A to E (descending perfect fourth), E to C (descending major third), C to F (ascending perfect fourth), F to E (descending half step), E to C# (descending minor third), C# to D (ascending half step), D to B (descending minor 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 B 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.

swing4/4 · 34 bars · Form: A

Chords: G, F♯m7♭5, B7, Em7, A9, D7, C/E, Fdim7, D7/F♯, Dm7, G7, C, Am7, A7, Em7/D, Cm7, F7, E7, C♯m7♭5, D9/C, Bm7♭5.

Scales for Improvisation G bebop, G bebop major.

Diatonic chords: See all chords in the key of G